Man admits to directing criminal gang

A 37-year-old man from Sligo has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to directing a criminal organisation. Barry Young, with an address in Cranmore, Co Sligo, admitted to the charge relating to directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 2019 and January 2022, both within and outside the State. The accused, who is currently remanded in custody, appeared before the three-judge, non-jury court where he entered his guilty plea. The State's counsel confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to his arraignment on the relevant section of the indictment. The court granted legal aid to cover the cost of a counsellor's report and adjourned the matter to May 9th for further proceedings. A previously scheduled trial date in April was vacated.