Courts / Dublin / Report

Taxi driver caught with €112k in secret compartment

Summary

Vincent Kelly, 37, a taxi driver from Kilmore, Dublin, was jailed for 18 months after being found with €112,000 of crime cash hidden in a secret compartment of his VW Passat. The money was not for his use; he acted as a courier. Kelly had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering in January 2021 and had four prior convictions for road traffic offences. Judge Melanie Greally, acknowledging his cooperation and remorse, suspended the final 18 months of a three‑year sentence, ordering the confiscation of his taxi and a Rolex watch. She noted his cocaine and gambling addictions as motivating factors. Kelly has been in full‑time employment since May and has received character references, including from Kilmore Football Club. Gardaí discovered the hidden compartment after a warrant‑driven search of his home and vehicle. The case was prosecuted by Diarmuid Collins BL, with defence counsel Ger Small BL.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Taxi driver caught with €112k in secret compartment. Charges or matters: money laundering at his address on January 16, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 16, 2021 Incident
• 2022-06-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Fraud Road Traffic Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report