Courts / Kildare / Report

Printer jailed for six years for running sophisticated counterfeit banknote operation

Date
2015-11-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

Richard Molloy, a 44‑year‑old printer from Kildare, was convicted of possessing equipment for producing counterfeit banknotes and sentenced to six years in prison. He had been selling €20,000 of fake €50 notes to an IRA associate in exchange for €2,200, and a Special Detective Unit search uncovered over €2 million in counterfeit notes and the machinery used to make them. Molloy admitted he was working with the IRA but denied direct involvement with the organisation. He pleaded guilty to possession of counterfeiting tools after initially being charged with membership of an illegal organisation. The court, after hearing his financial difficulties and family circumstances, imposed the full six‑year term without suspension.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Printer jailed for six years for running sophisticated counterfeit banknote operation. Charges or matters: possession of equipment for the production of counterfeit notes at Barstown Commercial Park, Dunboyne, Co Meath on February 2, 2014; possession of counterfeiting tools. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 2, 2014 Incident
2015-11-06 Publication

Why: He was he was in financial trouble because of the impact of the downturn on his business. CNI source report

Case subjects

Richard Molloy

Defendant

Charges: possession of equipment for the production of counterfeit notes at Barstown Commercial Park, Dunboyne, Co Meath on February 2, 2014; possession of counterfeiting tools (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Staunton asked the judge to consider suspending part of the sentence in light of Molloy's sick partner and the fact that jailing him would leave no one to care for their child.