Galway men to be sentenced under new anti-gang legislation

Two Galway men are to be sentenced today having pleaded guilty to membership of a criminal organisation, marking the first conviction under new anti-gang legislation.

Thirty-one-year-old Michael O'Loughlin of Rahylin Glebe, Ballybane and 28-year-old Eddie O'Loughlin of Rockfield Park, Rahoon both pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of a criminal organisation in the Galway area between February and June, 2010.

The men were originally charged with organising a criminal organisation but entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of membership.

They face a maximum of 15 years in prison under the 2009 Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act when sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.