Men charged after Kilkenny farm burglary and Garda chopper chase to spend Christmas in jail

Two Kilkenny men charged in relation to a burglary of a farm where the Garda helicopter was called in aid the manhunt are to spend Christmas in prison.

Edward Carthy (25), of 27 Rioch Street, Kilkenny and Jimmy Carthy (20), from the Wetlands Halting Site were remanded back to prison following a short hearing in Cloverhill District Court in Dublin.

Both men are charged with burglary while Edward Carthy is also facing assault charges. The two men will reappear in Cloverhill Court early next month.

A third man who was arrested and then released in relation to the incident is due in court in the new year. Gardai are awaiting instruction from the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to a fourth man arrested in relation to the burglary who was released after questioning.

The charges relate to an incident on Monday, November 18 when a Kilkenny farmer and his son bravely tackled a group of burglars they discovered them on their farmyard at Ossory Hill, Johnswell.

Edward Carthy was arrested at the farm after being restrained by the farmer and his son. Jimmy Carthy and another man were arrested just hours after the burglary with the assistance of the Garda helicopter, which was working with local gardai on the ground.

The fourth man was arrested the following morning in Thomastown and released the following day.