Courts / Cork / Report

Assets linked to convicted killer and 'career criminal' deemed proceeds of crime

Summary

The High Court, on Mr Justice Alexander Owens' direction, declared that assets linked to convicted killer and "career criminal" John 'Keith' O'Donovan – a Cork property and €8,590 in cash – were proceeds of crime. The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) had argued that the assets were financed by O'Donovan's criminal activity, citing over 50 convictions for offences such as manslaughter, armed robbery, burglary, assault, illegal firearm possession and drug offences, and his role as a major heroin supplier in Cork. CAB's sworn statement noted that the recorded convictions did not fully reflect his criminal involvement and that he accessed substantial funds from unknown sources. The property, bought in 1997 for IR£20,000, was registered in his mother Doreen O'Donovan's name to conceal ownership. CAB claimed O'Donovan had no legitimate means to acquire the property, now valued at over €200,000.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Assets linked to convicted killer and 'career criminal' deemed proceeds of crime. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• May 22nd, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2023-11-23 Publication

Why: The property was registered in his mother's name in order to conceal the true identity of the true owner from the State Authorities, counsel said. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report