Courts / Kildare / Report

Printer who sold counterfeit bills to IRA suspect has sentence cut

Date
2016-07-28
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Naas
County
Kildare

Summary

Richard Molloy, 45, of Naas, was convicted in 2015 for possessing equipment to produce counterfeit €50 notes and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment. He had sold €20,000 in counterfeit bills to a suspected IRA member and was found to have €2 million worth of counterfeit currency in preparation. On appeal the Court of Appeal found the original judge had not explained the overall rationale for the sentence and had not recorded the mitigating discount. The appeal court re‑sentenced Molloy to five‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended. He was required to enter a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period. The case involved the discovery of two Heidelberg colour offset printers, various powders, guillotines, digital printers and paper, and a large quantity of completed and partially completed counterfeit notes. The court noted Molloy's financial difficulties, his partner's illness and death, and his alcohol problems as mitigating factors. Richard Molloy pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Printer who sold counterfeit bills to IRA suspect has sentence cut. Charges or matters: possession of equipment for the production of counterfeit notes at Barstown Commercial Park, Dunboyne, Co Meath on February 2, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Richard Molloy

Appellant

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

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to six years imprisonment by Judge Patricia Ryan on November 6, 2015. Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, re-sentenced Molloy to five-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal
Address Area
  • Barstown Commercial Park
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Appeal

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