Courts / Dublin / Report
Cash seized from "Kinahan gang member's" apartment is proceeds of crime
Summary
The High Court has ruled that €17,000 in cash seized from the apartment of Jeremy Skerritt constitutes proceeds of crime. Ms Carmel Stewart appointed a receiver over the monies after Skerritt, who did not contest the Criminal Assets Bureau's application under the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act, failed to claim ownership or provide an explanation for the funds. The cash was discovered wrapped in tinfoil under a mattress during an April 2016 search of his North Circular Road flat, part of Operation Thistle targeting the Kinahan organised crime gang. CAB argued the money derived from drug sales, noting Skerritt's lack of legitimate income and 22 previous convictions. The court heard Skerritt is described as a low to mid-ranking member of the Kinahan organisation and a childhood friend of Daniel Kinahan, who was a named party on Skerritt's motorbike insurance policy. That policy was found in the home of Skerritt's girlfriend, where keys to a Lower Baggot Street apartment were also recovered. A subsequent search of that address revealed Naoufal Fassi, cannabis, a false Belgian ID, cash, and documents linking the location to the Kinahan gang. Fassi was later extradited to the Netherlands, where he was jailed for 18 years for organised crime and attempted murder. The High Court's decision finalised the civil forfeiture of the seized cash.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cash seized from "Kinahan gang member's" apartment is proceeds of crime. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 2016 Other
- April 7th 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-12-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: In addition, a quantity of cannabis, a false Belgian ID card, cash, mobile phones, high quality watches and documents linking the address to the Kinahan organised crime gang was also found in the Lower Baggot Street apartment. After a brief stint in custody in Ireland, Fassi was extradited to the Netherlands where, following a trial, he was jailed for 18 years for his role in organised crime and attempted murder. The court heard Daniel Kinahan was a named party on Mr Skerritt's motorbike insurance policy.
Places mentioned
- The High Court
- North Circular Road
- Lower Baggot Street
- Oliver Bond House
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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