Two men have been jailed and a third is awaiting sentence for their part in the aggravated raid on a South Tipperary family five years ago.
It brings to 6 the number of people convicted in relation to the violent burglary at the home of licensed firearms dealer Thomas Keevan in Carrick on Suir.
At around 1am on the 9th of January 2009 Mr Keevan and his partner Rita had just returned home from a night's dancing in Carrick when they were set upon by four masked men armed with several weapons including a sawn off shotgun and a hunting knife.
They forced the couple into their home – where his 16 year old daughter and an elderly friend were also living – tied them up and threatened to kill them all if the local businessman didn't hand over all his firearms – a threat they repeated a number of times during the family's ordeal.
A total of 42 guns including rifles and handguns were stolen along with around €600 in cash as well as Rita's car which was later found burnt out near Monard.
Yesterday at Naas Circuit Court Darren O'Regan from Lisadobber, Carrick on Suir – described as the man who set up the burglary – for which he was paid €2,000 – was sentenced to 7 years with 3 suspended.
Alan Freeman of Pearce Park Tipp Town – who's currently in jail on other offences, was also sentenced for his role in the raid with his five year prison term to run consecutively – meaning he's facing 13 years behind bars.
His brother Robert Freeman from Clondalkin in Dublin was jailed in 2011 for 11 years for his role while a fourth Paul Lonergan of Alleen, Dunohil, Tipp Town is set to be sentenced in May.
Two others convicted in relation to receiving the stolen weapons- 22 of which have been recovered were sentenced in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
The investigation by Clonmel Gardai was one of the largest outside Dublin during which over 30 arrests were made and a spokesperson has described the convictions as a very good result.
