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A middle-aged man has been charged in connection with the seizure of almost 3.7 million euros in cash in Kerry and Laois counties.
It represents the largest amount of cash seized by gardaí in the investigation of criminal activities in the history of the State.
Darren Hoey of Oak Drive, Ballacollig, Mountmellick, Co Laois, appeared before a special session of the Fermoy District Court in North Cork.
The 46-year-old was charged with two counts contrary to the Criminal Justice-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act of 2010.
Mr. Hoey is charged with participating in the possession of property that was the product of criminal conduct, ie 3 million euros in cash, at Farranstack, Lisselton, Co Kerry on 30 September.
The charge was brought against Section 7 (1) A of the Criminal Justice and Money Laundering Act.
Mr. Hoey was also charged with a second count of possession of property that was the result of criminal conduct, namely € 694,845 in cash, at Ballacollig, Mountmellick, Co Laois on the same date.
Detective Sergeant Liam Brennan of the Garda’s National Drugs and Organized Crime Unit provided evidence of arrest, caution and caution in the case.
He told Judge Brian Sheridan that Mr. Hoey did not respond when the charges were placed under warning at the Tralee Garda station in Co Kerry.
Attorney Kieran O’Keeffe, who is representing Mr. Hoey, told the court that there would be no request for bail at this time.
He said that his client was reserving his position regarding submitting a request for free legal aid at a later date.
Inspector Tony O’Sullivan said Gardaí was requesting that Mr. Hoey be detained to appear again in Tralee District Court next week.
Judge Sheridan granted the order and sent the defendant into custody to Cork Prison to appear in court again on October 7 in Tralee.
Mr. Hoey, who was wearing a black sweatshirt, dark blue jeans and gray sneakers, spoke during the brief hearing only to confirm his identity. Security was tight for the hearing of the case.
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