Four charged with ATM thefts appear before court
The three justices ordered that the trials would be heard before the Special Criminal Court, and the four men were remanded in custody to appear again next Monday.
Four men charged in connection with ATM thefts in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath last year appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.
The four arrested include three brothers from Monaghan and a fourth man from South Armagh.
They were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning for offences contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 and Sections 72/73 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.
Gerard Duffy (29) and Ciaran Duffy (26), both of Greagh, Loughnamore, Co Monaghan, are charged with the theft of an AIB ATM on Main Street, Castleblayney and criminal damage of the wall on April 3, 2019.
They are also accused with the attempted theft of the ATM at Riverfront Bar and Restaurant in Virginia, Co Cavan on August 14, 2019, as well as possession of cash in Moynalty, Co Meath with the intention of facilitating the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation on the same date.
The two are further charged with possession of cash in Moynalty, Co Meath on August 20.
Ciaran Duffy faces a sixth charge of the movement of cash in a Toyota Avensis on August 20 in Co Meath.
Stephen Duffy (34) of Coose, Tullynahinera, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan; and Niall Finnegan (38) of Cherrygrove, Cullyhana, Co Armagh, are each charged with two offences under Section 72 and Section 73 of the Offences Against the State Act, alleging involvement in a criminal organisation.
This includes the movement of cash in a Toyota Avensis in Moynalty, Co Meath with the intention of facilitating the commission of a serious offence by an organised crime on August 20; and also possession of stolen cash at The Yard, Moynalty, Co Meath.
The alleged charges follow ongoing investigations into the attempted theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan on April 3, 2019; the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia, Co, Cavan on August 14, 2019; and the seizure of cash at an address in Moynalty, Co. Meath, intended to facilitate the commission of organised crime.
The arrests were made by Gardaí attached to the Special Detective Unit and Detective Branches based in Carrickmacross, Bailieborough, Monaghan and Kells, following direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Prior to their appearance before the Special Criminal Court, the men were detained in Carrickmacross Garda Station.
Detective Sergeant Kieran Regan, Detective Vincent O'Boyle, Detective Lisa Gaughan and Detective Mark Looby all gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution before yesterday's court sitting.
The court was told by legal representatives for the men that bail sureties were available. The court was also informed that the accused parties would be seeking bail and free legal aid.
Solicitor for the State, Michael O'Donovan, informed the court that gardaí would need time to verify the sureties before dealing with any bail application.
The three justices ordered that the trials would be heard before the Special Criminal Court, and the four men were remanded in custody to appear again next Monday.