Three Co Monaghan brothers have been remanded in custody for sentencing in the Special Criminal Court for their roles in a series of ATM robberies in the Border region over a two-year period. Stephen Duffy, 35, from Tullynahinera, Castleblayney and his two younger brothers, 31-year-old Gerard and 27-year-old Ciaran, both from Greagh, Loughnamore, will receive their sentences from the three-judge court on March 4 next.
The men were part of an organised crime gang who carried out a series of robberies in which ATM machines were removed by diggers from the walls of banks and businesses premises in counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath over a nine-month period in 2018 and 2019. ATMs in Ballybay and Castleblayney were among those targeted in the raids. The Special Criminal Court was told that a total of €790,000 was taken in the crimes. In December, Gerard Duffy pleaded guilty to the attempted theft of an ATM at the Riverfront Bar and Restaurant, Main Street, Virginia, Co Cavan, on August 14 2019 for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organisation.
Ciaran Duffy pleaded guilty to participating in criminal activities while in a Toyota Avensis at Tullypole, Moynalty, Co Meath on August 20 2019 by participating in the movement of cash on behalf of a criminal organisation. He also admitted attempting to commit an offence under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Act by attempting to steal an ATM and its contents at the Riverfront Bar and Restaurant; and to participating in, or contributing to, the possession of cash at Tullypole, Moynalty, on August 14 2019, intending to…
