Four charged with illegal moneylending warned to stay away from post office

Four people charged in connection with alleged illegal moneylending in Clare have been ordered to stay away from a local post office.

Four people charged in connection with alleged illegal moneylending activities in Clare have been ordered to stay away from a local post office.

Following a long-running investigation by gardaí in Kilrush into alleged unlawful money lending, two men and two women appeared before Ennis District Court this afternoon where strict bail conditions were imposed.

Patrick Casey of Beverley Hills View, Kilkee Road, Kilrush, Diana Casey of Wood Road, as well as Anne Marie O'Brien and James O'Brien both of Sycamore Drive, Kilrush were before the court this afternoon.

The ages of the four accused ranged from 20 to 32. They face three charges each of engaging in money lending without a licence on dates between January and December of 2013, failure to provide documentation, and failing to keep money-lending records, all contrary to the Consumer Credit Act.

All four were remanded on bail of €100.

As part of bail conditions the four accused have been ordered to sign on three times a week at Kilrush Garda Station, and to have no contact with seven named individuals who are complainants in the case and cannot be named.

Judge Patrick Durcan also told the four not to come within 100 metres of the post office in Kilrush on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8.30am and 1pm.

They are due back in court on March 18.