Cash, drugs and gun charges in Clare organised crime trial

A 26-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in Clare, writes Ronan Judge.
Tony McInerney, a father of two with a former address at Glenina, Gort Road, Ennis, and originally from Dublin, allegedly controlled supervised, instructed, guided or requested with respect to the carrying on of activities for the criminal organisation.
Two other men, Conor Gilligan (29), with an address at Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, and Caoibhlen McMahon (24), with an address at Dun Aile, O’Callaghan’s Mills were also before the court this Wednesday on related charges.
McInerney is accused of directing the activities of the criminal organisation within the State on dates between August 1, 2018 and August 24, 2018.
Is is understood this is the first time a charge of this nature – which is contrary to section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended, – has been brought before the courts in Clare.
The charge was one of a number brought against McInerney at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
He is facing a number of charges arising from alleged events in Drumullan, Kilmurry, on August 24, 2018.
The charges include possession of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply: possession of a cocaine press for purposes connected to drug trafficking and possession of a mixing agent benzocaine.
McInerney is also charged with unlawful possession of of a Ruger rifle and unlawful possession of ammunition.
He is further charged that within the State on August 31, 2018, and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he participated or contributed to an activity which could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation, to wit, money laundering for a criminal organisation or its members, contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
McInerney faces a money laundering charge arising from the alleged processing of €30,000 – allegedly the proceeds of criminal conduct – at Main Street, Tulla on May 25, 2019.
Detective Garda, Paul Heaslip and garda Aoife O’Malley, both of Ennis Garda Station, gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of McInerney.
The court heard McInerney made no reply to the charges after caution. Sergeant Aiden Lonergan confirmed the case is proceeding on indictment to Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.
Solicitor John Casey was assigned legal aid to represent McInerney.
Judge Mary Larkin remanded the accused in custody to appear again via video link at Ennis District Court on July 28.
Two other men also appeared in court charged in connection with offences allegedly linked to a criminal organisation.
Gilligan is charged that within the State on May 25, 2019, he participated or contributed to an activity which could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation, to wit, money laundering for a criminal organisation or its members, contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
He is further charged that at Roslevan, Tulla, Road, Ennis on May 25, 2019 he engaged in processing property – €30,000 – that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.
McMahon is charged that at a place within the State on August 31, 2018, he participated or contributed to an activity which could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation, to wit, money laundering for a criminal organisation or its members, contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
He is further charged that at Lynch’s Centra, car park, Ennis, on August 31, 2018, he engaged in the processing of property – €750 – that is the proceeds of crime, contrary to section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.
Both men were remanded on bail, subject to conditions, to appear again in court on a later date.