2LT Local News

MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia – Three Irish men have been remanded in custody in Australia after being charged with allegedly taking over €612,000 (AUD 1 million) in cash, jewelry, and designer handbags during dozens of robberies.

Christie McDonagh, 19, Michael McDonagh, 24, and James Connors, 25, of no fixed address, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday morning, May 3.

Victoria Police believe that the three individuals, who arrived in Australia from Ireland during the previous six months, committed “sophisticated, residential burglaries” in 60 properties in Blackburn, Doncaster, Narre Warren, Hampton Park Narre Warren, and Templestowe since January.

It is claimed that most of these offenses occurred when the occupants were gone from their residences.

It is further claimed that after breaking into the homes, the trio utilized cleaning products to hide their tracks.

Box Hill cops apprehended the trio at a motel near Melbourne Airport on Thursday, May 2.
They face multiple charges, including aggravated home invasion, aggravated burglary, burglary, and theft from a motor vehicle.

The three men appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday but did not seek bail.
They were remanded in detention for a committal case conference on August 9.

Police believe they were part of a larger syndicate that led to the detention of three other Irish men in March in connection with home burglaries in Sunshine and Mill Park between January and March of this year.

Investigators found more than $380,000 in cash and luxury jewelry that had allegedly been stolen from these two residences.

“Investigators are continuing to look into whether both groups are connected to any other unsolved burglaries,” a police official stated.

Investigations into both groups are ongoing, the official said.