A MAN accused of tying up a woman and leaving her in a burning house after a burglary in Co Down appeared in court yesterday charged with attempted murder.
Niall Lynch (35) of Mill River Close in Ardglass appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates Court yesterday.
He faces 14 charges in relation to the incident in Clough on February 19, as well as a number of other burglaries in Co Down and Belfast last week.
Also in court were Alan Stewart (30) of Knockburn Gardens, Lisburn and Ruairi Padraig Walls (27) of no fixed abode.
Both Mr Stewart and Mr Walls face a number of burglary-related charges.
While all three defendants appeared together, it was clarified in court that only Lynch faces allegations of attempted murder and false imprisonment.
None of the defendants requested bail.
The incident in Clough occurred on February 19 when masked burglars entered a home on the School Road.
A woman in her 50s was working as a cleaner in the house at the time.
She was helped to safety by two women who saw smoke from the blaze as they were driving past the house.
The other charges the three men face also relate to burglaries in Belfast, Downpatrick and Ardglass between 20 and 23 February.
District Judge Amanda Brady remanded all three into custody to appear again on March 22 via videolink.
