A judge has demanded the production of all documentation in the curious case of the unregistered luxury SUV, which was stolen days after being insured for €15,000 more than the owner paid cash for, and was then found in Kilbeggan with false plates and full of stolen goods.
Inspector Aidan Minnock was in court this week (September 7 ) to oppose an application by John Keating (41 ) from Carlow for the return of the BMW X5 jeep as he was not the registered owner, but that his former business partner, Frank McAleer (43 ) was, and he wanted both men to give evidence “to clarify the situation”.
Their solicitor told the court neither of his two clients “were suspects in the car theft crime”, but was corrected by Inspector Minnock who said that “they were no longer being investigated for this crime”.
McAleer gave evidence and told how he bought the vehicle in Northern Ireland in January 2010, part-paying for it by banker’s draft, and registered it in the Republic. He sold it to Keating for €40,000 in cash a month later, but accepted the change of ownership procedure had not been completed.
Judge Hughes asked Keating if he had a receipt for this transaction with him, and he said he didn’t.
“I bet you don’t,” said the judge.
Keating said the vehicle was stolen from outside his home in Carlow on October 28, after he had insured it for €55,000, but not registered it in his name. He filed the claim to this value.
“This is a very cosy arrangement between two gentlemen operating in cash,” said the judge.
He ordered McAleer provide a copy of the banker’s draft, and Keating proof of withdrawing €40,000 from his bank account before he could even think about releasing the vehicle to the applicant, and adjourned the case to November 23.
