Courts / Dublin / Report
'Idolised' grandfather receives suspended sentence for money laundering
Summary
A 77‑year‑old former coffee shop owner, Giovanni Nardone, was given a four‑year suspended sentence for laundering €89,570 in cash and for possessing an encrypted mobile phone. The cash was found under his bed after a Garda search warrant was issued following confidential information. Nardone pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime and to possession of the encrypted phone, which was deemed to be used for a criminal offence. He was on bail throughout the proceedings and had no prior convictions. The judge, after a risk assessment by probation services, considered the amount of cash, the encrypted phone, a cash‑counting machine and a vacuum packing machine as aggravating factors, while his guilty plea, lack of previous convictions and family background were mitigating. The sentence was suspended in full for four years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Idolised' grandfather receives suspended sentence for money laundering. Charges or matters: possessing €89,570, the proceeds of crime, at his home on that date; possession of an encrypted phone, in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable inference that he had it for a criminal offence. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 1, 2021 Incident
- 2025-11-13 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing €89,570, the proceeds of crime, at his home on that date; possession of an encrypted phone, in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable inference that he had it for a criminal offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Orla Crowe said, "gardai had excellent information, and a search warrant was issued for this defendant's house." Judge Crowe said a probation report before the court places Nardone at low risk of reoffending. Judge Crowe sentenced Nardone to four years in prison, and after considering all relevant factors, including his age, she suspended the sentence in full for four years.; She adjourned it until today for a risk assessment from the probation services.
Places mentioned
- Glenhill Avenue
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- and taken to Finglas Garda Station
Topics
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