Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 14683Participating in a criminal organisation · Co. Clare

Four members of Ennis Doherty family plead guilty over Clare Garda investigation

Gardaí in County Clare investigated alleged theft of catalytic converters at various locations between November 2020 and March 2021. Four members of an Ennis family, Michael Doherty Snr (63), Ned Doherty (33), Michael Doherty Jnr (24) and Johnny Doherty (27), were charged with participating in a criminal organisation. On 4 February 2025 at Ennis Circuit Court, Michael Doherty Snr and Ned Doherty pleaded not guilty, and Michael Doherty Jnr was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty. On 6 February 2025 all four men pleaded guilty to charges, with the State not proceeding with the criminal organisation charges against Michael Doherty Snr and Ned Doherty, and Michael Doherty Jnr was remanded in custody for sentence, with all four to be sentenced later this year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Feb
  5. Convicted6 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The alleged criminal activity was the theft of catalytic converters.
Where
The alleged offences occurred at various locations throughout County Clare.
When
The alleged offences ran from November 2020 to March 2021.
Investigation
Over 55 Gardaí, including senior-ranked officers, were to be called as witnesses.
In court
  • On 4 February 2025 at Ennis Circuit Court, Michael Doherty Snr and Ned Doherty pleaded not guilty to participating or contributing to a criminal organisation.
  • On 4 February 2025 Michael Doherty Jnr was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to participating or contributing to a criminal organisation.
  • On 6 February 2025 Johnny Doherty and Michael Doherty Jnr pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation.
  • On 6 February 2025 Michael Doherty Snr and Ned Doherty pleaded guilty to lesser charges, and the State will not proceed with the criminal organisation charges against them.
  • The trial was due before Judge Francis Comerford with a jury of 12 impanelled and was expected to last two weeks, possibly three, but did not proceed because of developments in the case.
Charges
  • Ned Doherty is alleged to have possessed €43,000 in cash knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct on 24 February 2021.
  • Ned Doherty pleaded guilty to possessing €43,000 in cash knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
  • Michael Doherty Snr pleaded guilty to having a false instrument, a cloned number plate, in his control.
Sentence
Michael Doherty Jnr was remanded in custody for sentence, and all four men are to be sentenced later this year.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe alleged criminal activity was the theft of catalytic converters. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe arraignments took place before a jury panel at Ennis Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offences occurred at various locations throughout County Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe hearing took place at Ennis Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences were said to date from November 2020 to March 2021. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences ran from November 2020 to March 2021. (clareecho.ie)
  • causeThe suspected criminal activity was the theft of catalytic converters. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationOver 55 gardaí, including some of senior rank, are to be called as witnesses. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationOver 55 Gardaí, including senior-ranked officers, were to be called as witnesses. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeMichael Doherty Snr and Ned Doherty denied participating or contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeNed Doherty denied possessing €43,000 in cash knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct on 24 February 2021. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeNed Doherty denied knowing that a cumulative €18,250 held at a credit union was the proceeds of criminal conduct. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeMichael Doherty Snr and Ned Doherty pleaded guilty to lesser charges and the State will not proceed with the criminal organisation charges against them. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeNed Doherty pleaded guilty to possessing €43,000 in cash knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeMichael Doherty Snr pleaded guilty to having a false instrument, a cloned number plate, in his control. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said the case would take two weeks and might run into a third. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe jury of 12 was impanelled and the trial was due to start the next morning before Judge Francis Comerford. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe trial did not proceed because there had been developments in the case. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtMichael Doherty Jnr and Johnny Doherty pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceMichael Doherty Jnr is to be sentenced at a future date and was remanded in custody. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceMichael Doherty Jnr has been remanded in custody for sentence, and all four are to be sentenced later this year. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherMichael Doherty Jnr was re-arraigned later that day and pleaded guilty to participating or contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Feb2025
    Convictedclareecho.ie, first report
    Four members of Ennis Doherty family plead guilty to charges arising from major Clare Garda investigation - Clare Echo

    Court report on guilty pleas by four Doherty family members, including Michael Doherty Jnr who is remanded in custody for sentence, and details of the alleged catalytic converter theft investigation.

    convicted, Michael Doherty Snr, 63, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Doherty Snrconvicted, Ned Doherty, 33, named, irish (judged from name)Ned Dohertyconvicted, Michael Doherty Jnr, 24, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Doherty Jnrconvicted, Johnny Doherty, 27, named, irish (judged from name)Johnny Doherty
  2. 4 Feb2025
    In courtclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Two members of Ennis family plead not guilty to contributing to activities of criminal organisation - Clare Echo

    Reports the 4 February 2025 arraignments at Ennis Circuit Court: Snr and Ned Doherty pleaded not guilty, and Michael Doherty Jnr was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty. It also gives the trial length, the number of Garda witnesses, the additional money laundering charges against Ned Doherty, and the trial judge.

    accused, Michael Doherty Snr, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Doherty Snraccused, Ned Doherty, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ned Dohertyconvicted, Michael Doherty Jnr, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Doherty Jnr