The chief executive of a Dublin recycling centre accused of handling stolen cars and catalytic converters at his company has opted to stand trial before a judge and jury.
Gardai conducted a search and subsequently charged Brian McDonnell (53), of Sandyhill, St Margaret’s, Dublin with five offenses against section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Offences of Theft and Fraud) Act 2001.
He is accused of handling stolen property at St Margaret’s Recycling & Transfer Centre Ltd, Sandyhill, CO Dublin on various dates.
There are believed to be six catalytic converters on April 14, 2021, the ’04 Vauxhall Vivaro on June 15, 2018, the ’05 Citroën C5 between August 27-29, 2019, the ’03 Volkswagen Golf between March 9-16, 2019, and the ’02 Honda Jazz between August 8-9, 2019, reports Breaking News.
He and a co-defendant appeared again in Dublin District Court on Thursday.
The Director of Public Prosecutions ordered summary liquidation in the District Court upon conviction.
If not, he would face trial by a circuit court with broad sentencing powers.
Mr. McDonnell has indicated a plea of not guilty.
Judge Mair Connelly remanded him in custody to appear again on 31 March, so that the State could provide him with a book of evidence, reports Breaking News.
It was alleged that the four men had sold the four stolen cars and catalytic converters.
Co-defendant Edward Stokes, 52, of St Margaret’s Park in Dublin, was charged with stealing a Vauxhall Vivaro and pleaded guilty on Thursday.
The court heard that the forklift driver had previous convictions, mainly for traffic offenses and theft and handling stolen goods.
He cooperated with the investigation and bought the car for scrap, the court heard.
Judge Connelly handed down a four-month sentence which he suspended for 18 months, reports Breaking News.
In January, three other people, described by Lake Garda investigators as “middle cogs” and not involved in the theft of the cars, pleaded guilty to possession of other stolen vehicles.
The court heard that he made small sums of money to bring them down.
Compensation orders and suspended sentences were imposed.
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