Andrew Carey
A 54-year-old man has been charged with the alleged possession of almost €1.5 million worth of cash that the State say is the known proceeds of crime.
John Duffy, with an address at 53 Shannabooley Road, Ballynanty was arrested at Portcrusha, Montpellier, Co Limerick on December 14 last year while allegedly laundering €1,494,430 in cash that had been buried in bags in a bog for a period of time.
At Limeick District Court, this Thursday, Detective Garda Dave Boland gave evidence of arresting the accused on the Dock Road and conveying him to Roxboror Road Garda Station where he was charged at 10:10am with an offence contrary to section 7 of Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
At the time of the seizure and following a five month period of surveillance headed up by detectives from the Divisional Drugs Unit, gardai arrived and found the cash, some buried in bags, a mini digger and some cash being dried in tumble drier in a container on site.
It is the State’s case that Mr Duffy allegedly knew that the money was obtained as the proceeds of crime.
The 54-year-old made no reply to the single charge when given a copy after his arrest this Thursday.
Inspector Helen Costello attached to Henry Street Garda Station told the court that the Director of Public Prosecution directed that the matter proceed by way of trial on indictment at the Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly was told that the State had no objection to the accused being granted bail by the court subject to a number of conditions being adhered to.
Mr Duffy must sign on three times a week at Henry Street Garda Station, surrender his passport and reside at his home in Ballynanty.
Defence solicitor Gerry Twomey said that there was no objection from Mr Duffy to the matter being adjourned to allow the State prepare and serve a book of evidence.
Judge O’Kelly remanded the accused on bail to appear again before the court on January 14 next.
