Courts / Dublin / Report
Former LOI footballer jailed for moving €200k in crime cash
Summary
A former League of Ireland footballer, Edward Fitzpatrick, 39, and two other men were jailed for moving almost €200,000 in crime cash. Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, while Jonathon Barton, 42, and Gary O'Neill, 40, pleaded guilty to counts of money laundering. Garda surveillance showed Barton driving a van to Fitzpatrick's home, where they entered the property together. Barton later left with a heavy blue shopping bag, which was found in O'Neill's car containing €199,505 in cash and an additional €2,250. The court noted the men's remorse, guilty pleas, and family responsibilities. Justice Melanie Greally imposed four‑year, 42‑month and 30‑month sentences on Barton, Fitzpatrick and O'Neill respectively, suspending the final year of each sentence. The men had no prior convictions for serious offences, and the court considered their rehabilitation efforts. The case highlighted the role of drug debt and addiction in the operation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former LOI footballer jailed for moving €200k in crime cash. Charges or matters: one count of money laundering at the same address on February 12, 2021; a count of money laundering at Circle K, Kilshane Cross, Finglas on February 12, 2021; two counts of money laundering at Circle K, Kilshane Cross, Finglas on February 12, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 12, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-04-24 Publication
Why: His client told gardaí that his role was to move cash in order to repay a drugs debt. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of money laundering at the same address on February 12, 2021; a count of money laundering at Circle K, Kilshane Cross, Finglas on February 12, 2021; two counts of money laundering at Circle K, Kilshane Cross, Finglas on February 12, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally imposed a four-year sentence on Barton, a 42-month sentence on Fitzpatrick and a 30-month sentence on O'Neill.
Defendant
Charges: two counts of money laundering at Circle K, Kilshane Cross, Finglas on February 12, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally imposed a four-year sentence on Barton, a 42-month sentence on Fitzpatrick and a 30-month sentence on O'Neill.
Defendant
Charges: a count of money laundering at Circle K, Kilshane Cross, Finglas on February 12, 2021; two counts of money laundering at Circle K, Kilshane Cross, Finglas on February 12, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At a previous Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentence hearing, Garda Detective John Paul Flanagan told Fiona Crawford BL, prosecuting, that a surveillance operation of Barton began after gardaí received a confidential tip-off. Ms Justice Greally imposed a four-year sentence on Barton, a 42-month sentence on Fitzpatrick and a 30-month sentence on O'Neill.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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