Notorious ATM theft gang get combined jail sentences of 19.5 years

Three Monaghan brothers have been sentenced to a combined 19 years and six months imprisonment at the Special Criminal Court for their roles in a cross-border ATM theft gang operating between 2018 and 2019. Gerard Duffy, aged 31, of Greagh, Loughnamore, received eight years and nine months with the final year suspended. His brother Ciaran Duffy, aged 29, from the same address, also received eight years and nine months with the final year suspended. Stephen Duffy, aged 35, of Tullynahinera, Castleblayney, received four years and nine months with the final nine months suspended. Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed the sentences after the brothers pleaded guilty to offences related to theft and criminal organisation involvement. The gang used stolen diggers, trailers and jeeps to extract ATMs from premises across Cavan, Monaghan and Meath. Gardaí estimated the total amount stolen across five successful thefts at €790,000. The operation was halted in August 2019 when a Garda Range Rover rammed a stolen vehicle during an attempted ATM theft at Virginia, Co Cavan.