Seven men are due to appear at Cashel District Court again later this week, charged in connection with an armed raid on the home of a Tipperary family.

The couple and their three young children were confronted by the raiders in the early hours of Thursday morning last - when a gang forced its way in.

The thieves stole cash and jewellery from the house in Killenaule, before escaping in two cars, one of which was the family's jeep.

Five of the suspects were arrested hours after the incident near Naas in Co Kildare - while two others were detained at Newland's Cross in Dublin - following a high speed chase.

The men are aged between 19 and 26, and all have addresses in North Dublin.

All seven were remanded in custody at a special sitting of Cashel district court yesterday morning. They will appear before the court again on Thursday.