Five people arrested as part of an investigation into the false imprisonment of a number of people in Co Meath have appeared in court today.

Three men and two women arrested at a house at Castletown Kilpatrick on Thursday appeared before a special sitting of Trim District Court today on a number of charges including alleged theft of cash, and an ATM card.

Valile Soficu (aged 58), Amar Grosu (aged 40), Cirina Caldararu (aged 60) and 62-year-old Ion Caldararu, all of Castletown Kilpatrick, Navan, were charged with the alleged theft of cash – an amount as yet undetermined – which was the property of Ghiocal Barcu at AIB, Market Square, Navan between August 11 and 18 this year.

Elena Todica (aged 40), also of Castletown Kilpatrick, Navan, was charged with the alleged theft of a Visa debit card in the name of Ghiocal Barcu at Stephenstown, Castletown between January 24 and August 18 this year.

Superintendant Michael Devine objected to bail in a number of cases. In others, solicitors for the accused said that clients were not applying for bail at this stage.

Judge Gerard Furlong granted free legal aid in all cases.

Superintendent Devine told the court that more serious charges might follow in some of the cases before the court.

Some of the accused were remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill Court next Friday, while others were remanded to the Criminal Courts of Justice, also to appear next Friday.