FIVE people who are facing charges arising from an investigation into money-lending in Kilrush are set to have their cases heard in the circuit court.
Diana Casey, 12 Wood Road, Kilrush; Patrick Casey, Beverley Hills View, Kilkee Road, Kilrush; Ann Marie O’Brien, 12 Sycamore Drive, Kilrush; James O’Brien, Chapel Drive, Kilrush and Bernie O’Grady of Wood Road, Kilrush were all before Ennis District Court this week, where Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction in the matters.
Giving evidence at Wednesday’s court sitting, Detective Donal Corkery said a number of people had been identified following what was called Operation Payday and that observation had been carried out over a lengthy period of time.
He also said that people using money-lenders had been identified and some complaints had been made.
Detective Corkery said he understood loans involved had ranged from €50 to €8,000.
Regarding rates of interest, he said in the case of someone who was borrowing €100, €150 would have to be repaid.
The cases involving the five defendants have now been adjourned until July 15, with the defendants remanded on continuing bail.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.