Ten people returned for trial on vast HMRC fraud and criminal property case

A TOTAL of 10 people have been returned for trial over a vast and complex HMRC fraud and criminal property case, alleged to have occurred over a four-year period.

The most 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 (50) 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 (43) 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 March 14, 2017, and October 31, 2021.

All accused appeared for a committal hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court for a committal hearing to be elevated for trial, where a prosecuting lawyer said there is a case to answer, which was agreed by District Judge George Connor.

The accused spoke only to confirm their identities and that they understood the respective charges against them.

They declined to call witnesses or give evidence on their own behalf at this stage in proceedings.

Judge Connor remanded them on £500 bail each to appear for arraignment at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed next month.