by Andrew Carey
“BURN that money”, was the response given by an unemployed man who was caught by Gardaí with almost €9,000 in cash in his hoody.
David Sheehan (30) of Cliona Park, Moyross was stopped and searched on the Old Cratloe Road on June 19, 2012.
This week at Limerick Circuit Court, the State made an application to have the money forfeit.
Judge Tom O’ Donnell was told that €8,750 was seized after Gardaí stopped him when they noticed him trying to conceal something and they maintained that the money was associated with drug dealing.
Prosecution counsel John O’Sullivan said that Gardaí were satisfied that the money was the proceeds of crime or was intended for use in criminal activity.
Detective Garda Keith Harmon said that when he informed Sheehan, who has over 40 previous convictions, about the court proceedings last October, he replied: “I don’t give a s***, they can burn that money. I won’t be there”.
“I want nothing to do with that money, it’s not mine” he told the detective.
Judge O’Donnell said he had “no hesitation” in granting the application as he was satisfied given the “very clear instructions” of Mr Sheehan.
