Kidnap plot man jailed

A paraplegic man was jailed for three years by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today for INLA membership linked to a plot to a kidnap a Cork businessman.

Edward Mc Garrigle (aged 44), of Melmount Gardens, Strabane, Co Tyrone was convicted last July of INLA membership on February 22, 2008 but his sentencing was adjourned after Mc Garrigle, who has been confined to a wheelchair since 1984, fractured his leg requiring extended medical treatment in the North.

Mc Garrigle and two other men - John Mc Crossan (aged 48), Ballycoleman Estate, Strabane, Co Tyrone, and Neil Myles (aged 55), a native of Cork of no fixed abode - were convicted after a four week trial last July and Mc Crossan and Myles were each jailed for four and a half years.

Gareth Dunne (aged 25), of Clonard Rd, Crumlin and Gerard Kelleher (aged 29), Cathedral View Walk, Kevin St, Dublin 8, were each jailed for four years after they pleaded guilty to the charge.

Detective Inspector Tom Maguire, Special Detective Unit, told the court that Mc Garrigle was shot in 1984 and since then has been a paraplegic. He said he has 66 previous convictions, mostly for minor offences but he was jailed for nine years in Belfast in 1993 for conspiracy to murder and was also given a suspended sentence in 2006 for unlawful possession of a firearm.

During the trial last year the court heard that gardaí had prevented INLA activities, including stealing €1.6m and the intimidation of Cork businessman Denis Maguire.

The court in its judgment said there was "background evidence of a well-organised plot to carry out some criminal enterprise in respect of a businessman and/or his family in Cork."

The intended target of the plot was Mr Denis Maguire, who lived with his family at Lover's Walk, Montenotte, Cork.

The prosecution's case was based on sightings of the accused men meeting on different occasions in Cork and Dublin when they were under surveillance by the gardaí. The court heard that the five men were seen at meetings held in Dublin and Cork between August 2007 and February 2008. The intended target, Mr Maguire, returned home at 8pm on February 22 in the company of two gardaí.

Dunne and Kelleher were on the premises and they were arrested and searched. The coal shed was also searched. A black-handled knife, duct tape, cable ties and two other black-handled knives were found. Mc Crossan, Mc Garrigle and Myles were each arrested later that day.

Sentencing Mc Garrigle, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the non jury court, said that the court had to take into account his “very serious condition”. The appropriate sentence would be five years but taking into account Mc Garrigle’s medical condition the court would reduce that by two years and backdate it to July 1, 2009.