Court charges four under new anti-gangland legislation
Four Dublin men, who have become the first to be prosecuted under new anti-gangland legislation, have been sent forward for trial before a judge and jury.
The men, who are from Crumlin, are charged with organised crime activities in connection with a foiled post office robbery in Drumcondra, in north Dublin, last October.
David Atkinson (aged 41), of Windmill Park, Crumlin, Dwayne Stacey (aged 22) with an address at the South Circular Road, Philip Kerfoot (aged 38), of Ross Road, Dublin 8, and Gerard Carey (aged 33) of Kildare Road, Crumlin had been remanded in custody on May 12 last.
They had been charged under the Criminal Justice Amendment Act 2009 that between July 23 and October 16, 2009, knowing of the existence of a criminal organisation they participated in activity with intent to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that organisation or its members.
They have also been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery at Drumcondra Post Office, on October 16 last.
Today at Dublin District Court Detective Garda Mark O'Riordain of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation served a book of evidence on the four men.
State solicitor Aishling Kelly told Judge John Lindsay that the DPP had directed trial on indictment.
Judge Lindsay made an order sending the case forward for trial at the next term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
He notified the defendants that if they intended to rely on an alibi as part of their defence they must give written details to the prosecution within 14 days. The men were remanded in custody and granted legal aid.
The new anti-gangland legislation was introduced in the aftermath of the killing of rugby player Shane Geoghegan and the fatal shooting of Roy Collins at his family’s business, both in Limerick. On conviction it can carry a 15-year sentence.
