Courts / Limerick / Report
Christy Keane's sister was told tens of thousands of euro had come from gambling, court hears
Summary
Sandra Hehir, sister of Christy Keane, pleaded guilty in October to laundering €124,055 found in her attic. Defence counsel requested a suspended sentence, citing her lack of prior convictions and positive rehabilitation. The Special Criminal Court adjourned the matter to February 26 for sentence finalisation. In related proceedings, her son Warren Hehir, who pleaded guilty to laundering €59,000 and possessing a Rolex, was jailed for five years and three months, with the final 12 months suspended. His wife, Vicky Hehir, also known as Victoria O'Halloran, pleaded guilty to laundering the same €59,000. The court sentenced her to two years in prison, fully suspended, on conditions that she refrain from contact with the Keane gang and reside away from Garryowen and Kilmurry. The court noted that a custodial sentence would be unduly harsh on her three children. Prosecutors indicated that five other counts could be considered, while three others would receive a nolle prosequi. The investigation targeted the Keane Organised Crime Group, with evidence suggesting Hehir's financial activities were inconsistent with her legitimate income.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Christy Keane's sister was told tens of thousands of euro had come from gambling, court hears. Charges or matters: money laundering that on dates between August 8, 2019, and June 17, 2020, he possessed, used, converted, transferred or handled cash to the value of €59,000, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct, in discharging sums due and owing in respect of works carried out on Kilmurry Court, Garryowen, Limerick between August 8, 2019, and June 17, 2020; one charge of money laundering in relation to the €59,000 for the works carried out at Kilmurry Court. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2020 Incident
- June 17, 2020 Incident
- Monday, February 26 Adjournment
- August 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2018 Other
- August 8, 2019 Incident
- 2024-02-19 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: money laundering that on dates between August 8, 2019, and June 17, 2020, he possessed, used, converted, transferred or handled cash to the value of €59,000, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct, in discharging sums due and owing in respect of works carried out on Kilmurry Court, Garryowen, Limerick between August 8, 2019, and June 17, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sandra Hehir's defence counsel asked the court today to suspend all or a significant part of any sentence it imposes. Counsel said the probation service found it "unlikely that Sandra Hehir would be in this position again" and that if the court is going to suspend all or some of her sentence, it "could take comfort in that rehabilitation appears to have been achieved".; Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, presiding at the three-judge court, adjourned the matter to Monday, February 26, for sentence finalisation.
Defendant
Charges: money laundering that on dates between August 8, 2019, and June 17, 2020, he possessed, used, converted, transferred or handled cash to the value of €59,000, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct, in discharging sums due and owing in respect of works carried out on Kilmurry Court, Garryowen, Limerick between August 8, 2019, and June 17, 2020 (Alleged Or Contested)
Convicted Person
Charges: one charge of money laundering in relation to the €59,000 for the works carried out at Kilmurry Court (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Michael MacGrath said to impose a custodial sentence on Victoria Hehir would be "unduly harsh" on her three children and would have a disproportionate effect on them.
Convicted Person
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Last month, Warren Hehir was jailed for five years and three months' imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Assumpta Park
- Island Road
- Limerick City
- Limerick
- Sandra Hehir's house
Topics
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