Cathal Short: Ex-GAA footballer admits converting more than 拢1m in criminal property
- Published
Cathal Short won three All-Ireland club medals with Crossmaglen Rangers
A former Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) footballer has pleaded guilty on behalf of his company to converting almost 拢1.2m in criminal property.
Cathal James Short, 48, of The Crescent, Crossmaglen, was due to stand trial on Monday along with his company C Short Ltd at Belfast Crown Court.
But before the trial, Short, as the firm's sole director, was re-arraigned on the single count the company faced.
He replied "guilty'' to the company converting criminal property.
The charge read that between 9 June, 2010 and 20 March, 2012, C Short Ltd "converted 拢1,188,520 or thereabouts, which they knew or suspected, constituted or represented in whole or in part, benefit from criminal conduct or represented such a benefit''.
Prosecution counsel said there was no need for a pre-sentence report as Short had pleaded guilty on behalf of his company.
As the only punishment open to the court is by way of a monetary penalty, the judge said he wanted to see the company's trading accounts ahead of sentencing next month.
Short played football with Crossmaglen Rangers as a forward and won three All-Ireland Club championship medals.
He also represented the Armagh county team at senior level.