Courts / Meath / Report
'Mid to high' level member of international crime gang had booked luxury holiday before arrest
Summary
Thomas Rooney (52), of Betaghstown, Co Meath, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to three charges under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Act 2010. He admitted possessing €289,770 and £65,025 in a blue Nike holdall, €254,840 in a black holdall, and €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, all on May 11, 2020. The court heard allegations that Rooney, described as a "mid-to-high" level member of an international crime gang, organised the transaction and used an encrypted Aquarius phone. Jason Reed (40), of Dunshaughlin, also pleaded guilty to possessing the cash in the blue Nike bag and to holding €32,330 and £441 at his home. In a related May finalisation, Catherine Dawson (44), Rooney's then-partner, received a fully suspended sentence of three years and nine months for moving the gang's money, suspended on good behaviour for five years. Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated he could not see a non-custodial sentence for Rooney. Despite no Garda objection to bail, Rooney was remanded in custody until January 14 for sentencing. The matter was adjourned to that date.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Mid to high' level member of international crime gang had booked luxury holiday before arrest. Charges or matters: two further charges of possessing cash, which were also the proceeds of crime; possessing €254,840 in a black holdall bag also at Donore Road and to possessing €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, both on May 11, 2020; possession of the cash in the blue Nike bag on the same date and location but also pleaded guilty possessing crime cash at his home address after gardaí found €32,330 and £441 there, despite Reed having no source of income. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 11, 2020 Incident
- May 11 Other
- July 2020 Other
- March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 14 Adjournment
- 2021-12-06 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: Catherine Dawson (44), also of Betaghstown and with whom he has two children, was given a fully suspended sentence by the Special Criminal Court for her role in moving the gang's money.; Though there was no objection by gardaí to bail, he remanded Rooney in custody to January 14, when he will be sentenced. "It's better to get it started now," said Mr Justice Hunt.
Defendant
Charges: possession of the cash in the blue Nike bag on the same date and location but also pleaded guilty possessing crime cash at his home address after gardaí found €32,330 and £441 there, despite Reed having no source of income (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In May of this year, Rooney's then partner Catherine Dawson (44), also of Betaghstown and with whom he has two children, was given a fully suspended sentence by the Special Criminal Court for her role in moving the gang's money.; Though there was no objection by gardaí to bail, he remanded Rooney in custody to January 14, when he will be sentenced. "It's better to get it started now," said Mr Justice Hunt.
Defendant
Charges: two further charges of possessing cash, which were also the proceeds of crime; possessing €254,840 in a black holdall bag also at Donore Road and to possessing €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, both on May 11, 2020; possession of the cash in the blue Nike bag on the same date and location but also pleaded guilty possessing crime cash at his home address after gardaí found €32,330 and £441 there, despite Reed having no source of income (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In May of this year, Rooney's then partner Catherine Dawson (44), also of Betaghstown and with whom he has two children, was given a fully suspended sentence by the Special Criminal Court for her role in moving the gang's money. Though there was no objection by gardaí to bail, he remanded Rooney in custody to January 14, when he will be sentenced. "It's better to get it started now," said Mr Justice Hunt.; Though there was no objection by gardaí to bail, he remanded Rooney in custody to January 14, when he will be sentenced. "It's better to get it started now," said Mr Justice Hunt.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Donore Road
- North Road
Topics
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