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Criminal Graham Whelan seen 'dramatic change in life' since family tragedy
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, 39‑year‑old Graham Whelan pleaded guilty to laundering money for an organised crime group, possessing €1.2k in cash and a €28k watch, and paying €2,140 for a three‑night stay at the Intercontinental Hotel on 31 January 2019. He also admitted to possessing cannabis in a penthouse suite on the same night, and to having cocaine and cannabis at his Walkinstown home. Whelan claimed the cash was from a "Swiss roll" and that he had bought the watch on a credit card for €8k, though a valuer placed its value at €28k. He was granted bail in March after judges considered the death of his partner a crucial factor. The court adjourned sentencing to 15 November. The case also noted Whelan's prior convictions, including drug offences and a suspended two‑year sentence for grievous bodily harm in Spain.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal Graham Whelan seen 'dramatic change in life' since family tragedy. Charges or matters: paying €2,140 for a three-night stay at the hotel at Room 342, knowing or believing that the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to Section 7 of the Act; possessing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak gentleman's watch, knowing that the property, valued at €28k, was purchased with the proceeds of crime; being in possession of cannabis at the penthouse suite on the same date; possessing cash 'knowing or believing the property, to wit; money in the amount of €1,275, was the proceeds of criminal conduct, and did convert, transfer, handle, acquire, possess or use the said property, contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money) Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act 2010; possession of amounts of cannabis at the hotel and cocaine at his Walkinstown home, worth €20 e
When:
- January 31, 2019 Incident
- March 2000 Incident
- November 2016 Incident
- November 15 Adjournment
- August 21, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 1, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-10-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: paying €2,140 for a three-night stay at the hotel at Room 342, knowing or believing that the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to Section 7 of the Act; possessing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak gentleman's watch, knowing that the property, valued at €28k, was purchased with the proceeds of crime; being in possession of cannabis at the penthouse suite on the same date; possessing cash 'knowing or believing the property, to wit; money in the amount of €1,275, was the proceeds of criminal conduct, and did convert, transfer, handle, acquire, possess or use the said property, contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money) Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act 2010; possession of amounts of cannabis at the hotel and cocaine at his Walkinstown home, worth €20 each; using money, knowing or believing the money to be the proceeds of crime, to refurbish his Walkinstown Avenue home between August 21, 2018 and May 1, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The witness said that Whelan had also been convicted of grievous bodily harm in Spain after a "bar brawl" and had a fully-suspended two-year sentence imposed on him in November 2016. The witness said that in 2001 Whelan was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for a drugs sale or supply offence and had also been sentenced to three years in jail for a separate assault causing harm.; Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the case at the three-judge court to November 15 for sentencing.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Walkinstown Avenue
- Dublin
- Walkinstown Avenue
Topics
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