*The grandparents reside in Ballymaley.
TWO ENNIS grand-parents of 29 grand-children have succeeded in having their daily curfew bail conditions relaxed after complaining that the 10pm to 7am curfew placed them under house arrest in their own home.
At Ennis District Court, one of the grandparents Michael Doherty (62) told the court that he is innocent of the charge before the court where he is accused of participating in a criminal organisation and will fight the case against him.
Mr Doherty said that what the State allege against him “is not true”.
Mr Doherty made his comments during a joint application with his wife, Kathleen Doherty – both of St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Galway Rd, Ennis to have the conditions of the daily curfew 10pm to 7am lifted.
Gardai contested the application due to the seriousness of the charges against the two.
Judge Mary Cashin change the bail conditions with the curfew now to run from midnight to 6am.
The two have been abiding by the 10am to 7pm curfew since June 2nd when they obtained conditional bail and Mr Doherty told the court that he was known and respected in the area but said that the 10pm to 7am curfew “is like being in a prison”.
He said, “I am under house arrest. I can’t get out at night.”
Mr Doherty said that he has horses to look after.
During the course of her application to have the daily curfew relaxed, Mrs Doherty said that she is also innocent of the charge she faces and would be contesting the case.
Solicitor for the two, Daragh Hassett said that it is likely that the cases will not come before the Circuit Court for another year.
Mrs Doherty said that she has chronic health issues and has to care for her 92 year old father who doesn’t live with them.
Mrs Doherty said, “I was never in court – I have never robbed or stole in my life”.
In the case, Michael Doherty of St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis is charged with participating or contributing to a criminal organsiation 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 on dates up to March 5th 2021.
Kathleen Doherty faces a single charge at Low Rd, Bunratty, Co Clare of having in her possession a reciprocating saw with the intention that it be used in course of theft under Section 4 of Criminal Justice Act.
Mr Hassett said that the couple are going nowhere and are deeply rooted in their community.
