Courts / Dublin / Report

Man accused of laundering crime cash at five-star hotel is charged before non-jury court

Date
2021-03-22

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Graham Whelan, 38, father of four, appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin charged with ten non‑scheduled offences. He is accused of laundering €1,275 and €2,140 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Ballsbridge on 31 January 2019, and of converting a Piguet watch and possessing a BQ Aquarius phone, all allegedly linked to drug trafficking. Whelan is also charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis at the hotel, and cannabis at his Walkinstown home on 1 May 2019. Additionally, he is accused of concealing the source of money used to renovate his Walkinstown property between 21 August 2018 and 1 May 2019, and of using that money for the same purpose. Garda Donal Donoghue presented evidence of Whelan's arrest and the charges, noting the defendant's refusal to engage with the officer. The court, presided over by Justice Michael MacGrath, remanded Whelan in custody until a bail application on Wednesday morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man accused of laundering crime cash at five-star hotel is charged before non-jury court. Charges or matters: converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using money in the amounts of €1,275 and €2,140 an at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on January 31 2019, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct; possessing or controlling an article to wit a tick list in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he possessed or controlled it for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence on the same occasion. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 31 2019 Incident
May 1, 2019 Incident
August 21 2018 Incident
May 1 2019 Incident
2018 and 2019 Other
2021-03-22 Publication

Case subjects

Graham Whelan

Accused

Charges: converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using money in the amounts of €1,275 and €2,140 an at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on January 31 2019, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct; possessing or controlling an article to wit a tick list in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he possessed or controlled it for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence on the same occasion (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: The State solicitor asked for the accused man to be remanded in custody until Wednesday morning. "Mr Whelan doesn't consent for a remand in custody for two days so that they can get their house in order.