Courts / Limerick / Report

Jail for man who stashed crime cash in socks while on disability allowance

Date
2024-01-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Dermot McManus, 53, of Keating Park, Killalee, Co. Limerick, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to four years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on the condition of good behaviour, after pleading guilty to three money‑laundering charges. The judge set a headline sentence of five years but reduced it to four years, citing McManus's blindness in one eye and Crohn's disease. McManus had been claiming a single‑rate disability allowance of €230 per week and had not paid tax. He had hidden €28,550 in cash in two socks and a jacket pocket, and had a Mercedes Sprinter van valued at €10,500. The court ordered forfeiture of the cash seized and the van. The case stemmed from Operation Coronation raids in September 2021, which targeted organised crime in Co. Limerick. The judge noted McManus's 22 previous convictions, including a burglary‑related offence. The sentencing hearing was presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who stashed crime cash in socks while on disability allowance. Charges or matters: three charges relating to money laundering offences; burglary but the prosecution today accepted that McManus was in fact convicted of receiving property that had been stolen during a burglary; 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 on June 17, 2020; handling a white Mercedes Sprinter van between June 2, 2020, and May 23, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

September 2021 Incident
June 17, 2020 Incident
June 2020 Incident
January 1, 2018 Incident
June 2, 2020 Other
May 23, 2021 Other
2024-01-22 Publication

Case subjects

Dermot McManus

Convicted Person

Charges: three charges relating to money laundering offences; burglary but the prosecution today accepted that McManus was in fact convicted of receiving property that had been stolen during a burglary; 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 on June 17, 2020; handling a white Mercedes Sprinter van between June 2, 2020, and May 23, 2021 (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Having set a headline sentence of five years, the judge considered McManus's guilty plea and the fact that he is blind in one eye and suffers from Crohn's disease. The judge sentenced McManus to four years with the final 12 months suspended on condition that he be of good behaviour.