The State has concluded its case against a former Armagh GAA club star accused of being part of a cross-Border gang involved in the theft and attempted theft of two ATMs in Cavan and Meath in 2019.
Mr O'Callaghan (31) of Monog Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, has been charged with alleged offences under Section 72 and 73 of the Criminal Justice Act.
He is charged with the attempted theft of the ATM at the Riverfront Hotel, Main Street, Virginia, Co Cavan, on August 14, 2019, for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation.
He is also charged with criminal damage and the theft of an ATM on Main Street, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, on April 3, 2019.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
After the conclusion of the prosecution case on Thursday, defence barrister Vincent Heneghan said he would be applying for a direction from the three judges today to have the charges dismissed.
Mr Heneghan said that the defence would not be calling on Mr O'Callaghan to give evidence.
Meanwhile, the court heard that Mr O'Callaghan was involved with a criminal gang who used a certain 'modus operandi' to steal four ATMs by pulling them out of walls in December 2018 and April 2019 in Meath and Cavan,
Gardaí, the court was told. prevented the Virginia attempt.
Gardaí investigating the series of ATM thefts were watching in the early hours of August 14, 2019, when a digger travelled to Virginia in convoy with a stolen Toyota Landcruiser pulling a trailer. The digger was just metres from the ATM when gardaí intervened.
Meanwhile, the owner of a nearby premises told gardaí that an outhouse on his land had been interfered with.
When forensic examiners carried out DNA testing of the outhouse, they discovered DNA matching that of Mr O’Callaghan.
The case continues today...
