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A MAN was charged with handling proceeds of crime following a Garda operation that resulted in the seizure of nearly € 4 million in cash in Kerry and Laois.
The seizure, which followed an operation in Dublin, Laois and Kerry, ranks as the largest single Gardaí cash inflow in history.
Darren Hoey (46) appeared before a special session of the Fermoy District Court.
Hoey, resident of Oak Drive, Ballacollig, Mountmellick, Co. Laois was charged with two counts contrary to the Criminal Justice-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Act of 2010.
He is charged with being in possession of property that was the product of criminal conduct, ie 3 million euros in cash, in Farranstack, Lisselton, Co Kerry on September 30.
The charge was brought against Section 7 (1) A of the Criminal Justice and Money Laundering Act.
He faces a second similar charge for participating in the possession of property that was the product of criminal conduct, namely € 694,845, in Ballacollig, Mountmellick, Co Laois on September 30.
Detective Sergeant Liam Brennan of the Garda National Drugs and Organized Crime Unit presented evidence of arrest, warning and indictment.
He said that when both charges were formally presented to the defendant at the Tralee Garda station, he did not respond.
Defense attorney Kieran O’Keeffe confirmed to the court that there would be no request for bail at this time.
He also indicated that the issue of free legal aid would be addressed in the next court session.
Inspector Tony O’Sullivan told Judge Brian Sheridan that Gardaí was requesting that the defendant be taken into custody to appear again in Tralee District Court next week.
Judge Sheridan granted the order and ordered the defendant to appear again at 10:30 am on October 7 in Tralee.
The defendant, who wore a mask throughout the process, did not speak during the hearing beyond confirming his identity.
Online editors
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