Four on ATM theft bid charges

THREE brothers and another man have appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with involvement in the attempted theft of ATMs in Cavan and Monaghan last year.

Brothers Gerard Duffy, 29, and Ciaran Duffy, 26, of Greagh, Loughnamore, Co. Monaghan, and Stephen Duffy, 34, of Coose, Tullynahinera, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, all appeared in the court yesterday, along with Niall Finnegan, 38, of Cherrygrove, Cullyhana, Co. Armagh.

They are accused of offences relating to the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia, Co. Cavan, in August of last year, and the attempted theft of another ATM in Castleblayney in April 2019.

The men are charged with offences under Section 72 and Section 73 of the Offences Against the State Act, alleging involvement in a criminal organisation.

Detective Sergeant Kieran Regan, as well as detectives Vincent O’Boyle, Lisa Gaughan and Mark Looby, all gave evidence to the Special Criminal Court of arrest, charge and caution.

The three accused brothers, through solicitor Catherine Taaffe, James

McCullough BL and Conor Fegan BL, told the court that bail sureties were available.

Solicitor Michael O’Donovan, for the State, said that gardaí would need time to verify the sureties before dealing with any bail application.

Presiding judge Tony Hunt was told by counsel representing the accused parties that each man would be seeking bail and free legal aid.

Judge Hunt adjourned all matters to August 31 to allow time for the inspection of the sureties and said that if legal aid was to be granted, it would be backdated to yesterday’s date.