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A 46-year-old man has been taken into custody after being charged in connection with the seizure of the largest sum of cash in the state’s history.
Darren Hoey of Oak Drive, Ballacollig, Mountmellick, Co Laois, was brought before Fermoy District Court in Co Cork on Friday night. He was charged with two offenses following the seizure on Thursday of almost 3.7 million euros by a Gardaí investigating the criminal activity.
Mr. Hoey was charged with possessing 3 million euros in cash, knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether it was the proceeds of crime in Farranstack, Lisselton, Co Kerry, on September 30.
Hoey was also charged with possessing € 694,845 in cash, knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether it was proceeds of crime on Oak Drive, Ballacollig, Mountmellick, also on September 30.
Garda Detective Liam Brennan of the Garda National Office of Drugs and Organized Crime gave evidence of having arrested Mr. Hoey at the Tralee Garda station in Co Kerry at 3.35pm on Friday for the purpose of charging him with the two crimes.
He told the court how when he brought the two charges, which are contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Act) of 2010, to Mr. Hoey at 4.10pm, the defendant did not respond to either charge. .
Detention in custody
Defense attorney Kieran O’Keeffe said his client was not requesting bail at this time and was consenting to pretrial detention without prejudice to any future request for bail.
O’Keeffe said that Hoey also reserved his position regarding the filing of any requests for free legal aid with respect to the two charges. Judge Brian Sheridan took note of Mr. O’Keeffe’s submissions.
Insp Tony Sullivan requested that Mr. Hoey remain in custody to appear again in Tralee District Court on October 7. Judge Sheridan granted the request and sent him to Cork Prison to appear in Tralee on that date.
Mr. Hoey wore a Covid face cover in court and spoke only to confirm his identity during the brief hearing, which was held amid tight security.
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