Man pleads guilty in case over cross-Border ATM thefts

A Co Monaghan man has admitted his involvement in the thefts of ATMs by a cross-Border gang.

Five men have been charged before the Special Criminal Court in relation to an investigation into the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan in April 2019 and the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia, Co Cavan in August 2019.

Stephen Duffy (35), of Tullynahinera, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to possessing stolen cash at The Yard, Tullypole, Moynalty, Co Meath, on August 20th, 2019, contrary to Section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Duffy spoke only to acknowledge his name and reply “guilty” when the registrar read out the charge. He was remanded on continuing bail by presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt to January 14th.

Niall Finnegan (39) was last month jailed for 4½ years with the final 18 months suspended for possessing cash which was the proceeds of the ATM thefts carried out by the gang. Finnegan, of Cherry Grove, Cullyhanna, Co Armagh, pleaded guilty to possessing or handling €103,000 at Tullypole in August 2019.

In sentencing Finnegan, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said Det Sgt Mark Looby had given evidence to the court regarding an investigation into six ATM thefts in Cavan and Monaghan between September 2018 and August 2019.

The judge said these thefts were carried out by what gardaí­ believed to be a gang based in east Monaghan and south Armagh.

Det Sgt Looby said the gang used excavators to rip the ATMs from their locations and had caused “significant amounts of criminal damage” during six raids and attempted raids in the Border region.

He said the gang had stolen €790,000 before arrests were made two years ago by undercover detectives monitoring their activities.