Courts / Carlow / Report

Protruding cash bundle led to €16k crime cash find

Date
2022-04-01
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Rathvilly
County
Carlow

Summary

Gavin Forde, 21, was caught by a garda in broad daylight with a bundle of €16,235 in cash protruding from his pocket. He fled but was apprehended minutes later. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accepted that Forde was obtaining the money to transfer it elsewhere, though its origin was not explained. Forde pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct. He had two prior convictions for possession of drugs and obstruction of justice. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to 150 hours of community service in lieu of 15 months' imprisonment, citing his youth, lack of prior serious offending, addiction issues and early admission of guilt. She warned that failure to complete the community service could lead to reinstatement of the sentence. The other man involved was not charged. The cash was deemed proceeds of criminal conduct.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Protruding cash bundle led to €16k crime cash find. Charges or matters: possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct at Westwood Road, Finglas, on April 16, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: He said he was not aware that Forde had an addiction to cocaine and the offence occurred so he could clear a drug debt, but he agreed it is a possible reason for committing the offence. CNI source report

Case subjects

Gavin Forde

Defendant

Charges: possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct at Westwood Road, Finglas, on April 16, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She said she had been "torn" as to whether community service would meet the severity of the crime committed by Forde, but that she was moved by a letter handed into court by a person known to Forde who has offered to become his sponsor. Judge O'Connor sentenced Forde to 150 hours of community service in lieu of 15 months' imprisonment.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Westwood Road

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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