Courts / Kildare / Report

1.5-year jail sentence for having €829k in crime cash is upheld

Date
2020-01-27
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Naas
County
Kildare

Summary

Clive Kavanagh, 37, was found guilty of possessing €829,265 in cash at Tougher's Garage, Naas, on 1 September 2017, believing it to be proceeds of crime. He was sentenced by Naas Circuit Criminal Court to three years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended, on 4 July 2019. The Court of Appeal upheld this sentence, rejecting the Director of Public Prosecutions' appeal that it was unduly lenient. The judge noted that Kavanagh was not the owner of the money and that the case involved theft. He had a history of self‑employment in construction and eight prior minor traffic convictions, plus a suspended sentence for drug possession. The suspended portion was justified to aid his family, who depend on him, and to encourage rehabilitation. The appeal was dismissed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 1.5-year jail sentence for having €829k in crime cash is upheld. Charges or matters: having €829,265 at Tougher's Garage, Naas, Co Kildare, on September 1, 2017, knowing or believing the money to be the proceeds of crime. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Clive Kavanagh

Appellant

Charges: having €829,265 at Tougher's Garage, Naas, Co Kildare, on September 1, 2017, knowing or believing the money to be the proceeds of crime (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced at Naas Circuit Criminal Court to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on July 4, 2019, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal today. The Director of Public Prosecutions had sought a review of Kavanagh's sentence on grounds it was "unduly lenient", but the three-judge court declined to intervene.

Places mentioned

Residence
Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Naas
  • Naas Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Theft

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