Courts / Clare / Report

Money Launderer who failed to 'learn lesson' has suspended sentence part reactivated

Date
2023-12-15
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Ennis
County
Clare

Summary

Paul Collopy, 48, of Ennis, Co Clare, had a four‑year suspended sentence for money laundering in 2017. He was caught again laundering €67,900 in July 2014, and the suspended term was reactivated after a further offence in November 2020. In that offence, he was observed tampering with a car's bonnet at Carnally House, Clare Castle, and €16,695 was recovered from the vehicle's air filter. Judge Francis Comerford imposed a five‑year, four‑month sentence in October 2023. Collopy also serves a ten‑year sentence from a 2022 conviction for possession of €50,000 worth of cannabis. The court activated two years of the suspended four‑year term, making it consecutive to the 64‑month sentence, after the judge concluded that Collopy had not learned his lesson. Paul Collopy pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Money Launderer who failed to 'learn lesson' has suspended sentence part reactivated. Charges or matters: money laundering in relation to €67,900 on July 22, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Paul Collopy

Defendant

Charges: money laundering in relation to €67,900 on July 22, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a four-year suspended sentence in relation to that offence in 2017. Sgt Stack said Collopy is also currently serving a ten-year sentence imposed in 2022 after being caught "red-handed" with €50,000 worth of cannabis at the same location on April 16, 2021.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Ennis
  • Ennis Circuit Court
Residence
Secondary Mention
Facility
  • Carnally House

Topics

Drugs Fraud Stage Sentence

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