Siblings face trial over alleged illegal loans

Two people charged in connection with alleged illegal money lending in Kilrush have been returned for trial to Ennis Circuit Court.

At Ennis District Court, Diana Casey, aged 32, of Wood Rd, Kilrush, faced a total of 17 charges concerning the unlawful moneylending to six people.

Her brother, Patrick Casey, aged 26, of Beverly Hills View, Kilrush, faced 10 charges in relation to the unlawful money-lending to four people between 2011 and December 3, 2013.

Books of evidence were yesterday served on the pair, and Judge Patrick Durcan sent them forward on bail to Ennis Circuit Court.

Last May, Judge Durcan declined jurisdiction in the case of the pair and three others charged in relation to the illegal money-lending.

At that court, Det Garda Donal Corkery said it will be alleged that illegal money-lenders in the west Clare town of Kilrush were charging customers 50% interest rates on money borrowed.

Det Corkery said that “the State will allege that for €100 borrowed, €150 would have to be repaid”. He said the State will allege that, following complaints from members of the public in 2013, “gardaí set up an operation in Kilrush known as Operation Payday and the target was the unlicensed moneylending in operation in Kilrush town”.

He said: “Following months of observation and surveillance, gardaí identified persons involved in unlawful moneylending and on the 3rd of December 2013, gardaí conducted searches and arrests in Kilrush town against people engaging in moneylending without a licence.”

Det Corkery said the amounts loaned ranged from €50 to €8,000.

Insp Tom Kennedy said all five are pleading not guilty to the 41 separate charges brought against them concerning seven complainants.

The remaining three are to appear at court next week.