McInerney brothers plead guilty in midlands rural crime case

Thomas McInerney (39) of Twomey Park, Mountmellick; William McInerney (35) of Newline Close, Mountrath; and Gerard McInerney (38) of Woodbrook, Mountrath; appeared before Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court this Tuesday in a case where the prosecution had brought 27 separate counts of possession of stolen property (nine each).

According to earlier Garda statements in the case, the three men were arrested on 11 July 2016 between Portlaoise and Mountrath, Co Laois, after they rammed a Garda patrol car with a stolen jeep and trailer transporting stolen tools later traced to farms in the midlands.

As part of Tuesday’s arraignment process, the three accused all pleaded guilty to illegally taking a vehicle and to possession of the stolen jeep and trailer. The jeep was a 2005 Mitsubishi L200 double cab stolen from a well-known local farmer. In addition, Thomas McInerney, answered “guilty” when asked for his plea in relation to two more counts of possession of stolen property, namely a bolt cutter and a white hacksaw. William McInerney pleaded guilty to one more charge of possession of stolen property – a nail bar and a wire cutter. Finally, Gerard McInerney answered “guilty” and nodded his head when presented with an additional charge of possession of a stolen claw hammer and snips.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the guilty pleas were tendered and accepted on a full facts basis following discussions between the prosecution and defence counsel. This means that the men are expected to be convicted of these charges only. However, the full book of evidence will be accepted at the sentencing hearing scheduled in three months’ time. Gardaí previously testified that there were “in excess of 200 burglaries investigated over four Garda divisions” in connection with this case.

The three accused were more sharply dressed than many of the other defendants appearing in court on Tuesday, Thomas McInerney in a navy shirt and Gerard McInerney in a white shirt and black jacket. They greeted a group of around 15 relatives and supporters in the audience as prison officers and gardaí escorted them into the courtroom and appeared calm and collected during the hearing.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the McInerney brothers were the three men from whom local AI man Garrett Kirwan, 38, of Ringstown, Mountrath, acquired stolen bale wrap last July, leading to his conviction for possession of stolen property last week.

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