*Photograph: John Mangan
FOUR members of an Ennis family have pleaded guilty to various offences arising from a major investigation by Clare Gardaí.
At Ennis Circuit Court on Wednesday a jury was ready to hear evidence in a case where Michael Doherty Snr (63) and Ned Doherty (33) of St Michael’s, Ballymaley, Ennis were due to go on trial for participating or contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation on dates from November 2020 to March 5th 2021.
Both men denied the charges and the trial was due to go on for two weeks after a jury was impanelled in the case on Tuesday.
However, the trial never proceeded after counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL told Judge Francis Comerford that the jury would not be required as there had been developments in the case.
As a result, guilty pleas by Michael Doherty Snr and Ned Doherty to a lesser charge each were acceptable to the DPP and a nolle prosequi is to be entered by the State in relation to the criminal organisations charges against the two where the State will now not be proceeding with those cases.
In court on Wednesday, Ned Doherty pleaded guilty only to on February 24th 2021 at Dermot Hughes Cars, Athlone Rd, Ardsallagh More, Roscommon of engaging in possessing €43,000 in cash knowing that the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to Section 7 of Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act).
Michael Doherty Snr pleaded guilty only to having in his control a false instrument, a cloned number plate, with intent on January 14th 2021 at Cummins Car Centre, Ballymaley Business Park, Ennis.
On Tuesday, Michael Doherty Jnr (24) and Johnny Doherty (27) of St Michael’s Ballymaley, Ennis both pleaded guilty to participating or contributing to the activities a criminal organisation and such participation could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by the criminal organisation under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 from November 2020 to March 5th 2021.
Before the jury panel, Ms Comerford (instructed by Clare State Solicitor, Aisling Casey) told the court that the criminal activity that the accused are suspected of engaging in is the theft of catalytic converters.
Ms Comerford stated that the alleged offences occurred at various locations throughout the county of Clare.
Underlining the scale of the investigation Ms Comerford listed over 55 Gardaí, including a number with senior rank, who were to be called as witnesses in the case.
Michael Doherty Jnr has been remanded in custody for sentence and all four Dohertys are to be sentenced later this year.
