Courts / Armagh / Report
'Family man' jailed for involvement with cross-border ATM gang
Summary
At the appeal stage, Niall Finnegan (39) of Cherry Grove, Cullyhanna, Co Armagh, who was previously convicted of committing the offence under Section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which states that a person 'commits a serious offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organisation', has had his sentence reviewed. Finnegan had pleaded guilty to possessing or handling €103,930 at The Yard, Tullypole, Moynalty, Co Meath, following an ATM theft on 20 August 2019. The non-jury court had previously jailed Finnegan for four-and-a-half years, suspending the final 18 months for three years for possessing the cash, which was the proceeds of ATM thefts carried out by a criminal organisation. The judge then gave Finnegan the full 25% discount for his guilty plea, resulting in a four-and-a-half year sentence, and suspended the final 18 months of the sentence for three years. Finnegan's barrister had requested a postponement of the activation of the sentence until after Christmas so that Finnegan could spend the holiday season with his three children, but this was denied by Mr Justice Tony Hunt. The matter was adjourned.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Family man' jailed for involvement with cross-border ATM gang. Charges or matters: committing the offence under Section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which states that a person 'commits a serious offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organisation". Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 20 August 2019 Incident
- September 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 14, 2019 Incident
- Christmas Incident
- 2021-11-29 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: committing the offence under Section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which states that a person 'commits a serious offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organisation" (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today at the non-jury court, Mr Justice Tony Hunt jailed Finnegan for four-and-a-half years, suspending the final 18 months for three years for possessing the cash, which was the proceeds of ATM thefts carried out by a criminal organisation. The judge then gave Finnegan the full 25% discount for his guilty plea, resulting in a four-and-a-half year sentence, and suspended the final 18 months of the sentence for three years.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Bailieborough Road
Topics
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