Playwright sought by gang for his voice, court hears

A Dublin playwright was asked to join a criminal operation to extort money from a business because he was good at voice characterisations, a court has heard.

Lawyers for James Gantley said he had been asked to be “spokesperson” in demanding money from DX Ireland, a delivery firm, because of his experience in theatre.

Gantley, aged 62, of Sundrive Rd, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to demanding money with menaces from DX staff between October 11 and November 11, 2011.