Courts / Meath / Report
'Coward' jailed after using care worker partner to move cash for 'international crime gang'
Summary
Thomas Rooney (52), of Betaghstown, Co Meath, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for his role in an international criminal organisation. Rooney pleaded guilty to possessing €254,840 in a black holdall and €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, on May 11, 2020. He also admitted to possessing crime cash at his home, where gardaí found €32,330 and £441. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Rooney as a mid-to-high level member trusted to transport large sums, including a Nike bag containing €289,770. The six-year sentence is backdated to December 6, 2021, when Rooney first went into custody. The court ordered the seized money be forfeited to the State. A separate application to forfeit a Mercedes used by Rooney is contested and will be heard on January 31. In a related matter, Jason Reed (40) of Dunshaughlin pleaded guilty to possessing the cash in the blue Nike bag and additional crime cash found at his home. Previously, Rooney's then-partner, Catherine Dawson (45), received a fully suspended sentence for her role in moving the gang's money.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Coward' jailed after using care worker partner to move cash for 'international crime gang'. Charges or matters: possessing €254,840 in a black holdall bag at Donore Road and to possessing €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, on May 11, 2020; possession of the cash in the blue Nike bag on the same date and location but also pleaded guilty to 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:
- January 31 Incident
- May 11, 2020 Incident
- May 11 Other
- July 2020 Other
- March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-01-14 Publication
Why: When gardai asked Rooney if he used Ms Dawson to move the money because her job as a carer meant she was less likely to be stopped during the pandemic lockdown, he replied: "Maybe I'm a coward and wouldn't do it myself. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing €254,840 in a black holdall bag at Donore Road and to possessing €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, on May 11, 2020; possession of the cash in the blue Nike bag on the same date and location but also pleaded guilty to possessing crime cash at his home address after gardaí found €32,330 and £441 there, despite Reed having no source of income (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Catherine Dawson (45), 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.
Defendant
Charges: possession of the cash in the blue Nike bag on the same date and location but also pleaded guilty to 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
Defendant
Charges: possessing €254,840 in a black holdall bag at Donore Road and to possessing €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, on May 11, 2020; possession of the cash in the blue Nike bag on the same date and location but also pleaded guilty to 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 last year, Rooney's then partner Catherine Dawson (45), 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. The six-year sentence is backdated to Dec 6, 2021 when Rooney first went into custody.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Donore Road
- North Road
Topics
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