Video evidence filmed by a police helicopter led to two family members of the “Wall organised crime group” being given prison sentences for digging up nearly €80,000, concealed in coffee jars, from a hole in a field in Dublin. It was alleged by the gardaí in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that the Wall brothers Michael (30), Thomas (39) and Patrick (20) had obtained the money through criminal activities, specifically burglaries, and they used shovels and a mini digger to retrieve it. Items purchased by Patrick Wall from a nearby Applegreen petrol station, such as Lucozade bottles and Monster Munch crisps, were found in the hole as well.
Aware that the landowner was performing groundworks at the site, the brothers began digging. They had earlier tried to determine more about the activities from local businesses and requested that the operations cease. After being originally charged with money-laundering offences, the siblings from Tallaght, Michael from Fortunestown Lane and Thomas and Patrick from Fortunestown Crescent, accepted Director of Public Prosecutions’ charges of possessing stolen goods. Patrick Wall’s case was deferred until May to finalise his probation report.
Upon sentencing, Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the policework in this case and delivered provisional prison sentences of two years for Michael and Thomas Wall, both of whom received 18 month sentences. Taking into account their statuses as family men, she also credited Thomas Wall with the 12 months he had already served and fully suspended Michael’s sentence due to lack of previous convictions.
Det Garda Kate Gilligan from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau confirmed to Judge Crowe that the offence occurred on 14th August, 2020 in a field in Keatings Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin, located next to the N7 motorway, near a large Applegreen petrol station. The gardaí received confidential information that the Wall organised crime group was planning to recover a significant amount of money that was hidden in the field.
Following an organised surveillance operation, authorities using a Garda helicopter noted several individuals involved in unusual activity in a particular location at 3pm. The helicopter seized footage of these individuals, who were later identified in court as members of the Wall family. Known to the Gardaí for a significant period, they were spotted again when the helicopter revisited the location where a mini digger was present along with five individuals and a large excavation in the field.
On further investigation, the Gardaí recovered four jars, each filled with cash. These were found within the vast hole in the field; two of these jars were stashed in an Applegreen paper bag, alongside loose banknotes which were damp, as though recently unearthed. The jar count increased by one more, although this unit was broken. Collectively, the cash amounted to €79,000.
Earlier investigations revealed Michael and Thomas Wall making enquiries with local firms about halting the ongoing work in that area. Their approach was met with the information that a local entrepreneur had commissioned builders to remove hedges and carry out groundwork operations.
One such builder, who’d been conducting permissible work for the past three weeks, was confronted by several men questioning his actions. He noticed a few other men measuring a distance from the fence to a mid-field point where they commenced their digging. Understanding the unfolding situation, the builder departed and secured the digger.
He informed authorities that the rest of the men hadn’t obtained permission from the landowner to excavate the site. Consequently, the Wall brothers were apprehended with each claiming their purpose was to erect fencing for equestrian use.
Defences were presented in court for each brother. Thomas Wall’s lawyer, Barry Ward BL, underscored Thomas’ familial situation and contribution done in his community. Delia Flynn SC, representing Michael Wall, emphasised his role as a parent to a special needs child, with substantiating documentation provided. Patrick Wall’s lawyer, Padraig Dwyer SC, stressed his client’s marital status and familial support system, pointing out that the offence was committed when Patrick was a minor accompanying older relatives. He requested the court to consider Patrick’s early admission of guilt. Their cases, as well as broader political happenings, can be expanded on in our Inside Politics Podcast.
Subscribe to push notifications to receive top news, evaluations, and viewpoints straight to your mobile device. Also, keep yourself informed by following The Irish Times on WhatsApp.