Courts / Limerick / Report

Man claiming disability allowance stashed crime cash inside socks, jacket

Date
2023-12-04

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

During a major Garda operation in Limerick, Dermot McManus, a 53‑year‑old claimant of disability allowance, was found to have hidden €28,550 and £11,795 in cash inside socks and a jacket pocket at his home. McManus, who had no tax history and was unemployed, had paid off the mortgage on his house and had 22 prior convictions, including burglary of a solicitor's residence. He pleaded guilty to three money‑laundering charges relating to the cash and to handling a white Mercedes Sprinter van. The Special Criminal Court heard that the cash had been deposited and withdrawn from a credit‑union account, suggesting laundering activity. McManus's partner was charged with possession of the same cash but the charges were later dropped. The court remanded him on bail until January 22, 2024, when sentencing will occur.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man claiming disability allowance stashed crime cash inside socks, jacket. Charges or matters: three charges relating to money laundering offences; the offences, had accepted sole responsibility for what was found in his house and had been on disability allowance for over ten years. "He is blind in one eye and has Crohn's disease which gives rise to dietary requirements in prison," said the barrister; handling sums of cash worth €28,550 and £11,795, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether this was the proceeds of criminal conduct June 17, 2020; handling a white Mercedes Sprinter van between June 2, 2020, and May 23, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 2021 Incident
June 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2020 Incident
January 22, 2024 Adjournment
January 1, 2018 Other
June 2, 2020 Incident
May 23, 2021 Incident
2023-12-04 Publication

Case subjects

Dermot McManus

Defendant

Charges: three charges relating to money laundering offences; the offences, had accepted sole responsibility for what was found in his house and had been on disability allowance for over ten years. "He is blind in one eye and has Crohn's disease which gives rise to dietary requirements in prison," said the barrister; handling sums of cash worth €28,550 and £11,795, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether this was the proceeds of criminal conduct June 17, 2020; handling a white Mercedes Sprinter van between June 2, 2020, and May 23, 2021 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Burns, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Marie Keane, remanded McManus on continuing bail until January 22, 2024, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Paul Burns, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Marie Keane, remanded McManus on continuing bail until January 22, 2024, when he will be sentenced.