All-Ireland winner fails in bid to overturn ATM theft gang conviction

A former All-Ireland club medallist has failed in his appeal against conviction for his role in a cross-border ATM theft operation. Daniel O'Callaghan (33) was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment in March 2023 after being found guilty at the Special Criminal Court of sixteen offences relating to thefts and attempted thefts in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan during 2018 and 2019. The Court of Appeal dismissed his challenge to identification evidence from a National Surveillance Unit garda who observed him fleeing a stolen Toyota Landcruiser at a foiled raid on an ATM at the Riverfront Hotel in Virginia, County Cavan, on 14 August 2019. Mr Justice George Birmingham stated the NSU garda was a trained observer who had familiarised himself with O'Callaghan over months and had made the identification at close proximity, with supporting DNA evidence corroborating the account. O'Callaghan, formerly of Crossmaglen, County Armagh, controlled over €700,000 in stolen money as a planner and active gang member. Four accomplices received sentences ranging from four to nearly eight years imprisonment for their involvement.