A 46-year-old man has been jailed for seven years after pleaded guilty to possessing large amounts of cash at a house in Lisselton, connected with money laundering.
Darren Hoey, of Oak Drive, Ballincollig, Mountmellick, Co Laois was described at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court yesterday as a trusted and responsible member of an organised crime group involved in drug trafficking”.
Mr Hoey pleaded guilty under money laundering legislation, to possessing large amounts of cash at a house in Lisselton, and at a second property in Co Laois.
The court heard he had engaged in the possession of property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely over €2.7 million Euro and 94,149 pound sterling, at Farranstack, Lisselton, on September 30, 2020.
He also had possession of €694,845 at Oak Drive, Ballacollig, Mountmellick , Co Laois on September 30, and again the cash was believed to be the proceeds of crime.
The charges were contrary to Section 7 (1) A of the Criminal Justice-Money Laundering Act.
Two other charges he pleaded to, were related to possession of articles to aid and assist a crime organisation, the court heard.
Brian McInerney, defending, instructed by solicitor Pat Mann, said his client got involved in crime because of addiction after the death of a parent.
Detective Garda Liam Brennan in evidence said Hoey was “a trusted and responsible member of an organised crime group involved in drug trafficking”.
