An innocent man has spoken of his horror at learning that his home has been identified as a hub for crime lord Christy Kinahan.
Cristobal Garre Murcial, 52, whose first name in English translates as Christopher, was stunned to learn that his address, Villa Indalo in Marbella, was publicly identified by the US Department of Treasury as being directly linked to the gangster.
As he invited us into the villa yesterday, respected lawyer and council worker Mr Murcial told the Irish Mirror: “I own this house. I have lived here for a long, long time.
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“My family have been here for 51 years. I lived here with my parents and grew up here.”
We then showed him the press release by the US Treasury Department which named his full address as being connected to Christopher Kinahan Snr – the leader of an international criminal cartel.
He asked: “Who is this person? Is he a drugs gangster?”
We explained in detail, showing him multiple photos of the crime boss, and told how Kinahan is regarded as one of Ireland’s most dangerous gangsters.
Expressing shock, Mr Murcial said: “My father built this house. My father was a stonemason. He worked with natural stone. He died 12 years ago and my mother four years ago. I am their son and the house is in my name.”
He then explained that a number of year ago the property was was rented out to another man – though he was confident it was not Kinahan.
He added: “Probably 12 years ago or more than that time, maybe 15 years ago, they needed money so they rented the house.
“But I do not know that person [Kinahan] because I made all the contracts for the rental. I do not remember that person. He was never here. In this house, never.
“I saw everybody who rented the house, we rented the house twice.
“One for a person in Russia and then the next man... but he is not the person in the photo. I have never seen this person.
“There are people with complicated situations but not in this house. I have never seen this person.”
We again showed Mr Murcial the document from the US Treasury Department listing his address as being connected with Christy Kinahan.
He answered: “I’ve been here for 15 years. They must be mistaking it for another house.
“This is very strange for me. This is the first time that I’ve heard.”
He also said the police had never come to his house as part of any
serious crime investigations. And he insisted he had no links whatsoever to criminality, adding: “Of course not.
I work for the town hall.”
When contacted, a Garda spokesperson said: “As your query relates to a release issued by the US Treasury Department, they may be better positioned to assist you.”
The US Treasury Department did not reply when contacted.
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