A convoy of police vans arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court in London transporting eight men who have been charged with conspiracy to burgle following the Hatton Garden jewellery raid

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of (front row left to right) Paul Reeder, William Lincoln, John Collins, Brian Reeder and Hugh Doyle, (back row left to right) Daniel Jones, Terry Perkins (obscured) and Carl Wood making their first appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court in London where they are accused of the Hatton Garden jewellery raid

A Dublin-born plumber was among eight men before the courts suspected of involvement in the daring multi-million pound Hatton Garden heist in London.

Hugh Doyle (48), who works as a plumber in Enfield in London, has been remanded in custody over the raid last month.

He is the youngest of the alleged gang, whose ages range from 48 to 76, that appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with conspiracy to burgle.

The father-of-two, who has a passion for flying and yachting, has stated on social media that he is originally from Dublin and attended Marian College.

The married man, who runs a plumbing business called Associated Response, was described as a "friendly, helpful and hard-working" family man by neighbours.

Also in the dock yesterday were Terry Perkins (67), a former property developer from Enfield; Brian Reader (76), and his son, Paul (50), second-hand car dealers from Dartford, in Kent; John Collins (74), from Islington, north London; Daniel Jones (58), from Enfield; William Lincoln (59), from Bethnal Green, east London; and Carl Wood (58), from Cheshunt.

They stood in two rows behind one another in the glass-fronted dock and spoke only to confirm their names and give their ages and addresses.

When asked to confirm his address by the court clerk, Mr Collins told the court he could not hear the questions and had to be helped out by one of his co-defendants.

Putting the charges to the men, the clerk said: "Between April 1 and May 19 you conspired with each other to enter or trespass a building in Hatton Garden, namely the Hatton Safe Deposit Company, with intent to steal."

Prosecutor Ed Hall told District Judge Tan Ikram the case was a serious one and a notorious one and could only be heard at the Crown Court.

"The burglars broke into the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company over the Easter weekend.

"Some 73 safe deposit boxes were opened. The full value has yet to be ascertained but it runs into excess of £10m (€14m)."

There were no bail applications and all eight men were remanded in custody to appear before the courts again on June 4.

The raid over the Easter weekend saw thieves break into the vault at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London's jewellery quarter. Officers believe the raiders entered the building and disabled the lift so they could climb down the lift shaft to the basement. It is thought they used a drill to bore into the vault wall. After facing criticism, the Met Police apologised for deeming a call from a security firm about an intruder alert after midnight on Good Friday did not require a response.

Irish Independent