A committal hearing to return 10 people for trial in a vast and complex HMRC fraud and criminal property case, has been adjourned again.
Most of the allegations are against Ciaran Joseph McConville (47) from Crossnenagh Road, Keady who charged with conspiring to cheat HMRC by dishonestly causing, permitting or conniving in the formation of companies, creation of bank accounts, falsified business accounts and in the submission of fraudulent VAT returns, conspired and with others to conceal criminal property, namely the proceeds of the fraud, conspiring to convert criminal property, submitting false VAT returns and well as two counts of submitting false VAT repayment claims in relation to two companies – Sixcy Global Limited and Tigertek Limited.
Other accused are Karl Paul Heron (45) of Crancussy Road and Nichola Elizabeth Heron (37) from Fairhill Grove, both in Cookstown who are jointly charged with conspiring to cheat HMRC, conspiracy to conceal and concert criminal property and fraudulent evasion of Vat in the formation of companies, creation of bank accounts, falsified business accounts.
Those facing a lesser number of charges are Darren Felix Callan (52) from Ratheen Avenue and Jamie Owen Jackson (27) from Tulnacross Road, James Fergal Satchwell (49) from Knockaleery Road, and Drue Stephen Reid (49) from Chapel Street – all in Cookstown as well as Damien Noel James McCooey (41) from Crossnenagh Road, Keady are each accused of conspiring to cheat HMRC of revenue, through formation of companies, creation of bank accounts, falsified business accounts and in the submission of fraudulent VAT returns.
Finally, Philip Joseph Teefey (50) from Ashley Park, Nenagh, County Tipperary and Marcuss Muhammad Thompson from Hammon Mews, Moneymore are jointly charged with entering into or being concerned in an arrangement to acquire criminal property.
Offending is alleged to have been carried out over various dates between 14 March 2017 and 31 October 2021.
The case has been listed for a committal hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court to elevate for trial since June, but has been repeatedly adjourned on a largely monthly basis.
At today’s hearing (Tuesday) an adjournment was sought and the committal has now been put back until October 20, although it is unclear if it will go ahead on that date.
Corresponding Proceeds of Crime applications in relation to seized cash remain live at Dungannon Magistrates Court in relation to both Herons’ and McConville’s wife.
At the most recent sitting in that matter, counsel for HMRC requested a continuation of seized cash ahead of the criminal trial, “Which may shape these proceedings.”
This was granted and will be mentioned again on January 6.
