International gang member seeks return of €50k Mercedes

Thomas Rooney, described as a mid-to-high level member of an international crime group, appeared before the Court of Appeal on 16 February seeking return of a Mercedes S350 valued at approximately €50,000 that was forfeited to the State. The 53-year-old from Betaghstown, County Meath, was sentenced to six years imprisonment in January 2022 after pleading guilty to money laundering offences at the Special Criminal Court. He had been found in possession of substantial quantities of crime cash totalling over €600,000 across multiple locations in Drogheda on 11 May 2020. The vehicle was used to transport proceeds of crime during what the sentencing judge described as an industrial-scale operation. Rooney's counsel argued the car's use was peripheral and that forfeiture was disproportionate. The State contended the vehicle facilitated the criminal enterprise and that forfeiture served as appropriate punishment. Rooney also appealed his sentence length. The three-judge court reserved judgement.