Courts / Dublin / Report

Kinahan Cartel member claimed social welfare while laundering crime cash

Date
2021-03-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Sean Ruth, 32, of Portlaoise, Co Laois, was remanded on continuing bail until May 17 for sentencing after pleading guilty to two money laundering offences at the Special Criminal Court. Prosecutors alleged that Ruth, described as a mid-tier Kinahan Cartel member, allowed his bank accounts to be used to launder over €50,000 in crime proceeds between 2016 and 2017 while claiming State benefits and paying no tax. He has paid the Criminal Assets Bureau over €20,000, with his mother assisting to discharge the remaining €9,000 liability. Defending counsel argued that Ruth has reformed since his 2019 release from a previous three-year firearms sentence and requested the court consider whether imprisonment was necessary. The court heard that Ruth was previously linked via DNA evidence to a revolver found at a Greenogue business park, an arsenal that also contained weapons seized from James Walsh and Jonathan Harding. Walsh, 36, and Harding, 48, were previously sentenced to 10 years and nine years imprisonment respectively, with the final year of each sentence suspended, after pleading guilty to possessing nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machinegun, an assault rifle, and ammunition at the same location. Ruth's current matter remains adjourned for final sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kinahan Cartel member claimed social welfare while laundering crime cash. Charges or matters: the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machinegun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the Greenogue Unit. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 24, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
May 17, 2017 Incident
May 30 2017 Other
January 12 2018 Incident
September 2019 Incident
May 17 Adjournment
January 1, 2016 Incident
December 31, 2016 Incident
2021-03-26 Publication

Case subjects

James Walsh

Convicted Person

Charges: the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machinegun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the Greenogue Unit (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: James Walsh (36), with a last address at Neilstown Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 were previously sentenced to 10 years and nine years imprisonment respectively, with the final year of each sentence suspended, having both pleaded guilty to the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machinegun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the Greenogue Unit.

Jonathan Harding

Convicted Person

Charges: the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machinegun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the Greenogue Unit (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Harding (48) and James Walsh (36), with a last address at Neilstown Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 were previously sentenced to 10 years and nine years imprisonment respectively, with the final year of each sentence suspended, having both pleaded guilty to the possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machinegun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines at the Greenogue Unit.