This article is from page 10 of the 2008-04-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
GARDAI are conducting a major in- vestigation into alleged interference with bank cash point machines in County Clare, a judge was told last Neto)
On a day when a number of peo- ple were before the court on charges connected with the investigation, the Ennis District Court heard from Inspector Tom Kennedy that there is a “widespread investigation” into claims that ATMs were interfered with last month.
Among those charged in relation to the investigation into damage to ATMs were Mirren Gavrila of no fixed abode, Dublin and Cosmin Merla of Apartment 710, Two Mile Inn, Ennis Road in Limerick. They were before Judge Joseph Mangan accused of three counts each of criminal damage to ATMs, causing €1,100 worth of damage to each ma- abe slen
Garda John Corkery told the court
that it is alleged that the two dam- aged the card reader on the Bank of Ireland ATM in Kilrush on March 12 before travelling to Miltown Malbay, where it is alleged they damaged a second Bank of Ireland ATM.
The third charge relates to another Bank of Ireland ATM in Ennisty- mon, which the two are charged with damaging on the same day.
Judge Mangan declined jurisdic- tion and Inspector Kennedy asked for an adjournment to prepare a book of evidence in the matters.
The solicitor representing the two accused said they are Romanian and have been in Ireland for one month. Neither has previous convictions in Romania and there was a person in court who would be willing to put them up in the house which he is renting in Sallins, County Kildare, the court heard.
Judge Mangan remanded the two in custody to appear again in Kilrush District Court on April 23 for a Book of Evidence.