On 15 December 2008, he was held hostage during a robbery at the Druids Glen Marriott Hotel and Country Club in County Wicklow.
His last act as minister was the signing of an order that was to lead to work being resumed on the controversial M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara.
[7] He was re-appointed as Minister of State for European Affairs, during which Ireland conducted two referendums on the Treaty of Lisbon.
Roche prolonged the count by requesting a recount when it was found that only three votes separated him and his Fianna Fáil running mate Pat Fitzgerald, an action which was criticised by some other candidates including Fitzgerald[citation needed], who also accepted that there wouldn't be a seat for Fianna Fáil.
[8] He was not present at the announcement of his elimination which was greeted by cheering and applause from a number of people at the count centre.