Man had close to €700k cash in boot of car when stopped by Dublin gardaí
laundering charge |
Gerard Hayes of College Lawn, Cobh, Co Cork was on bail when he was stopped by gardai at Mespil Road in Dublin
Stock image
Gerard Hayes of College Lawn, Cobh, Co Cork was on bail when he was stopped by gardai at Mespil Road in Dublin on February 20th, 2024.
At that time Mr Hayes (39) was being investigated by gardai in relation to money laundering, drug dealing and possession of ammunition.
The evidence given by gardai at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday was that Me Hayes claimed that the money, which was wrapped in vacuum packs and duct tape, came from an inheritance. He also said that some of the money originated from 'foxers' or 'all cash jobs|' he did on the side.
Dt Sgt Eugene McCarthy said that the tree surgeon, who worked three to four days a week and often did not carry out his job for months at a time, claimed that there was €620,000 in the car. However, in fact Hayes, who was paying just €200.00 a month in rent for his council property, had €50,000 more than he realised.
Det Sgt McCarthy said that the way the money was wrapped and marked bore 'all the hallmarks of drug dealing.'
When Gardai subsequently carried out a search of the home of Mr Hayes in Cobh they found €10,050 in cash in the hot press.
Meanwhile, Garda James McCarthy gave evidence that Hayes had been previously arrested as part of a targeted operation on February 10th, 2024 at Ballydaniel in Ballymore, Cobh, Co Cork. On that occasion he was found to be in possession of €62,800 in cash.
Gardai stopped Mr Hayes as he left a shed he was renting in Cobh. Mr Hayes had installed a sophisticated state of the art alarm system at the shed which he was able to monitor remotely.
During a search of the shed gardai found the monies concealed in timber blocks under tarpaulin in the shed. CCTV was seized from the scene. Mr Hayes was captured on the footage counting the money and placing it in the blocks.
A search of his home in Cobh was carried out following this arrest. Gardai discovered 234 rounds of ammunition, a silencer rifle, pepper spray, 1,376 rifle primers and eight containers of gunpowder. The majority of the items were found in the attic.
A valuation for a boat was also located at the property. A house boat worth €86,000, which was funded by criminality was subsequently found and seized at the the East Ferry in Cobh.
During his garda interview Hayes said that the €62,800 in cash seized was earned via 'foxers.' He denied any involvement in the sale and supply of cocaine.
Det Garda McCarthy said that the accused had had his firearms licence revoked in 2022. At the time of his arrest he was appealing this decision.
Two hair brushes were also found in his possession on this occasion. The brushes had been modified to hide close to €3,000 worth of cocaine.
Mr Hayes was arrested for a third time on May 5th, 2024 after he had secured High Court bail.
Stock image
News in 90 Seconds - June 25th
Garda Dylan Murphy said in evidence that gardai intercepted a car driven by Mr Hayes in Cobh, Co Cork. A deodorant canister was found in the glove box of the car. It had been modified and contained 27 bags of cocaine worth €1,407 as well as €450.000 in cash. The vehicle he was driving was seized as the proceeds of crime.
Judge Helen Boyle was informed that the Revenue Service had indicated that Hayes made a total income of €245,892 over a twenty year period from 2002 to 2024 for his legal work.
Mr Hayes offered no material assistance to gardai during the course of all of his garda interviews.
Defence counsel Jane Hyland, SC, said that her client was remorseful for his behaviour and had entered signed pleas of guilty. She stated that he felt guilty that his wife was now relying on social welfare payments.
'He is very stressed and upset at the position he has put his family in. He is resolved to not ever again engage in criminality.'
Ms Hyland said that Mr Hayes was taken in to care at a young age and left school when he was just 12 years old. She stated that he had a good job history which included work abroad as a diving instructor and a period in the Royal Marines. She said that her client had suffered from drug addiction and was doing well in custody.
The value of cash, cars, a boat and other property that was deemed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct reached a total of €745,000. Judge Boyle made a forfeiture order to the state in relation to these items. Mr Hayes was remanded in custody for the finalisation of sentencing on July 2nd next.
The defendant pleaded guilty to charges including the possession of cocaine for sale or supply and possession of large quantities of ammunition and silencers for firearms. He also pleaded guilty to charges related to drugs and money-laundering. In total he pleaded guilty to over twenty charges.
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Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man had close to €700k cash in boot of car when stopped by Dublin gardaí
laundering charge | Gerard Hayes of College Lawn, Cobh, Co Cork was on bail when he was stopped by gardai at Mespil Road in Dublin Stock image Gerard Hayes of College Lawn, Cobh, Co Cork was on bail when he was stopped by gardai at Mespil Road in Dublin on February 20th, 2024. At that time Mr Hayes (39) was being investigated by gardai in relation to money laundering, drug dealing and possession of ammunition. The evidence given by gardai at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday was that Me Hayes claimed that the money, which was wrapped in vacuum packs and duct tape, came from an inheritance. He also said that some of the money originated from 'foxers' or 'all cash jobs|' he did on the side. Dt Sgt Eugene McCarthy said that the tree surgeon, who worked three to four days a week and often did not carry out his job for months at a time, claimed that there was €620,000 in the car. However, in fact Hayes, who was paying just €200.00 a month in rent for his council property, had €50,000 more than he realised. Det Sgt McCarthy said that the way the money was wrapped and marked bore 'all the hallmarks of drug dealing.' When Gardai subsequently carried out a search of the home of Mr Hayes in Cobh they found €10,050 in cash in the hot press. Meanwhile, Garda James McCarthy gave evidence that Hayes had been previously arrested as part of a targeted operation on February 10th, 2024 at Ballydaniel in Ballymore, Cobh, Co Cork. On that occasion he was found to be in possession of €62,800 in cash. Gardai stopped Mr Hayes as he left a shed he was renting in Cobh. Mr Hayes had installed a sophisticated state of the art alarm system at the shed which he was able to monitor remotely. During a search of the shed gardai found the monies concealed in timber blocks under tarpaulin in the shed. CCTV was seized from the scene. Mr Hayes was captured on the footage counting the money and placing it in the blocks. A search of his home in Cobh was carried out following this arrest. Gardai discovered 234 rounds of ammunition, a silencer rifle, pepper spray, 1,376 rifle primers and eight containers of gunpowder. The majority of the items were found in the attic. A valuation for a boat was also located at the property. A house boat worth €86,000, which was funded by criminality was subsequently found and seized at the the East Ferry in Cobh. During his garda interview Hayes said that the €62,800 in cash seized was earned via 'foxers.' He denied any involvement in the sale and supply of cocaine. Det Garda McCarthy said that the accused had had his firearms licence revoked in 2022. At the time of his arrest he was appealing this decision. Two hair brushes were also found in his possession on this occasion. The brushes had been modified to hide close to €3,000 worth of cocaine. Mr Hayes was arrested for a third time on May 5th, 2024 after he had secured High Court bail. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - June 25th Garda Dylan Murphy said in evidence that gardai intercepted a car driven by Mr Hayes in Cobh, Co Cork. A deodorant canister was found in the glove box of the car. It had been modified and contained 27 bags of cocaine worth €1,407 as well as €450.000 in cash. The vehicle he was driving was seized as the proceeds of crime. Judge Helen Boyle was informed that the Revenue Service had indicated that Hayes made a total income of €245,892 over a twenty year period from 2002 to 2024 for his legal work. Mr Hayes offered no material assistance to gardai during the course of all of his garda interviews. Defence counsel Jane Hyland, SC, said that her client was remorseful for his behaviour and had entered signed pleas of guilty. She stated that he felt guilty that his wife was now relying on social welfare payments. 'He is very stressed and upset at the position he has put his family in. He is resolved to not ever again engage in criminality.' Ms Hyland said that Mr Hayes was taken in to care at a young age and left school when he was just 12 years old. She stated that he had a good job history which included work abroad as a diving instructor and a period in the Royal Marines. She said that her client had suffered from drug addiction and was doing well in custody. The value of cash, cars, a boat and other property that was deemed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct reached a total of €745,000. Judge Boyle made a forfeiture order to the state in relation to these items. Mr Hayes was remanded in custody for the finalisation of sentencing on July 2nd next. The defendant pleaded guilty to charges including the possession of cocaine for sale or supply and possession of large quantities of ammunition and silencers for firearms. He also pleaded guilty to charges related to drugs and money-laundering. In total he pleaded guilty to over twenty charges.
Irish Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tree surgeon pleads guilty to over 20 charges including drugs & money laundering
A father of three who removed close to €700,000 from his safety deposit box and put it in the boot of his car was arrested by gardai and charged with money laundering, a court has heard. Gerard Hayes of College Lawn, Cobh, Co Cork was on bail when he was stopped by gardai at Mespil Road in Dublin on February 20th, 2024. At that time Mr Hayes (39) was being investigated by gardai in relation to money laundering, drug dealing and possession of ammunition. The evidence given by gardai at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday was that Mr Hayes claimed that the money, which was wrapped in vacuum packs and duct tape, came from an inheritance. He also said that some of the money originated from 'foxers' or 'all cash jobs' he did on the side. Dt Sgt Eugene McCarthy said that the tree surgeon, who worked three to four days a week and often did not carry out his job for months at a time, claimed that there was €620,000 in the car. However, in fact Hayes, who was paying just €200 a month in rent for his council property, had €50,000 more than he realised. Det Sgt McCarthy said that the way the money was wrapped and marked bore 'all the hallmarks of drug dealing.' The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week When Gardai subsequently carried out a search of the home of Mr Hayes in Cobh they found €10,050 in cash in the hot press. Meanwhile, Garda James McCarthy gave evidence that Hayes had been previously arrested as part of a targeted operation on February 10, 2024 at Ballydaniel in Ballymore, Cobh, Co Cork. On that occasion he was found to be in possession of €62,800 in cash. Gardai stopped Mr Hayes as he left a shed he was renting in Cobh. Mr Hayes had installed a sophisticated state of the art alarm system at the shed which he was able to monitor remotely. During a search of the shed gardai found the monies concealed in timber blocks under tarpaulin in the shed. CCTV was seized from the scene. Mr Hayes was captured on the footage counting the money and placing it in the blocks. A search of his home in Cobh was carried out following this arrest. Gardai discovered 234 rounds of ammunition, a silencer rifle, pepper spray, 1,376 rifle primers and eight containers of gunpowder. The majority of the items were found in the attic. A valuation for a boat was also located at the property. A house boat worth €86,000, which was funded by criminality was subsequently found and seized at the the East Ferry in Cobh. During his garda interview Hayes said that the €62,800 in cash seized was earned via 'foxers.' He denied any involvement in the sale and supply of cocaine. Det Garda McCarthy said that the accused had had his firearms licence revoked in 2022. At the time of his arrest he was appealing this decision. Two hair brushes were also found in his possession on this occasion. The brushes had been modified to hide close to €3,000 worth of cocaine. Mr Hayes was arrested for a third time on May 5, 2024 after he had secured High Court bail. Garda Dylan Murphy said in evidence that gardai intercepted a car driven by Mr Hayes in Cobh, Co Cork. A deodorant canister was found in the glove box of the car. It had been modified and contained 27 bags of cocaine worth €1,407 as well as €450 in cash. The vehicle he was driving was seized as the proceeds of crime. Judge Helen Boyle was informed that the Revenue Service had indicated that Hayes made a total income of €245,892 over 20 year period from 2002 to 2024 for his legal work. Mr Hayes offered no material assistance to gardai during the course of all of his garda interviews. Defence counsel Jane Hyland, SC, said that her client was remorseful for his behaviour and had entered signed pleas of guilty. She stated that he felt guilty that his wife was now relying on social welfare payments. 'He is very stressed and upset at the position he has put his family in. He is resolved to not ever again engage in criminality.' Ms Hyland said that Mr Hayes was taken in to care at a young age and left school when he was just 12 years old. She stated that he had a good job history which included work abroad as a diving instructor and a period in the Royal Marines. She said that her client had suffered from drug addiction and was doing well in custody. The value of cash, cars, a boat and other property that was deemed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct reached a total of €745,000. Judge Boyle made a forfeiture order to the state in relation to these items. Mr Hayes was remanded in custody for the finalisation of sentencing on July 2 next. The defendant pleaded guilty to charges including the possession of cocaine for sale or supply and possession of large quantities of ammunition and silencers for firearms. He also pleaded guilty to charges related to drugs and money-laundering. In total he pleaded guilty to over twenty charges.
Sunday World
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Judge Kenneth Connolly found Mr Sheridan, who was on his way home from football training, was 'blameless for the collision and made every attempt to avoid the oncoming lorry'. CCTV footage also showed that Curran had checked the tyre twice on the date of the incident and had researched the price of a new tyre. A forensic collision report found that the excessive wear of the tyre could be due only to the vehicle's steering geometry being misaligned and this would have been noticeable to the driver through irregular/pulsating feedback on the steering wheel. Rian Sheridan News in 90 Seconds - June 25th Judge Connolly said the court found it 'repugnant' that Curran to this day was maintaining he had been unaware the tyre was in a dangerously defective and unroadworthy condition. The court was also told that Curran had travelled 814km on the day, had not taken proper breaks and had four speeding infringements. Curran also misused the tachograph on the lorry to 'wilfully' evade his regulated driving hours. When the collision occurred, he had been driving for more than 15 hours. Judge Connolly said the use of another driver's tachograph card was particularly aggravating because it showed a 'pre-determined and pre-meditated express plan to flout road traffic law'. Garda Sergeant Ronan O'Meara told the court that Curran was speeding just before the crash, travelling at 93kmh. The standard speed limit for HGVs is 80kmh on all roads except motorways, where it is 90kmh. The hearing was also told Curran had made admissions around breaches of tachograph data, which records a driver's activity, including driving time, rest periods and vehicle speed and distance. Curran had used another driver's tachograph card on the day of the crash and that card was in the truck at the time of the crash. In her victim impact statement, Maria Sheridan, the mother of Rian Sheridan, told the court that her son had 'lost his life in unnecessary and violent circumstances. "There is no comeback from this' she said. 'A mother to lose a child is not a natural thing, I will never get to hug or kiss him, never get to chat again.' Addressing Curran directly she said: 'Whatever the consequences you face that will never be enough. Rian had one precious life ahead of him and me and my family will never be the same again.' Finian Sheridan, Rian's father, said he could not have asked for a better son, adding that part of him died that night with Rian. He said that what happened was not an accident but the result of an "irresponsible and inconsiderate decision". He said his son had lost his life 'in circumstances which were avoidable". "Society should not accept that. It is totally unacceptable that as a driver he put other road users at risk when he shouldn't have'. Rian's sister, Ciara, said her family adored their little brother and, since he died, have been living their worst nightmare. His sister, Doireann, said that Rian was a gift to the family and his loss was felt deeply by everyone. Another sister, Aebhín, said that Rian was one of the "kindest, most positive people" she knew, and it breaks her heart to think about the future stolen from him. His partner, Aine Griffin, said the pair had met at the Fleadh Cheoil in Sligo in 2015 and shared a love for music. She spoke about their plans to travel, before settling down and having a family. "He was my morning, noon and night," she said. She recalled the day of the crash and said she spoke to Rian on the phone, because she was in Dublin and he was on his way to football training at Kilbride GAA. She spoke of the panic she felt when she received an automatic SOS text from Mr Sheridan's phone and thought he had come across a crash, but she said when she tried to call him, there was no answer. 'That was the worst night of my life,' she said. In mitigation, Judge Connolly said Curran who had a "fledgling business" with three trucks on the road, all of which he had been repaying loans for, had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He had co-operated with gardaí at the scene and alerted them to dashcam footage from the truck and had made admissions around the misuse of the tachograph. The court was told he expressed remorse about what had happened, and an apology was read to the court in which he said he took full responsibility. Judge Connolly said Curran had high moral turpitude and set a headline sentence of five years. Owing to his guilty plea and mitigating factors he suspended the final 12 months. Speaking outside court, Ms Sheridan thanked the meticulous and professional garda investigation. She said the past 15 months had been the 'saddest and loneliest time in the lives of our family'. She said their only son's death was 'completely avoidable'. 'Had the owner/driver of the articulated truck, Shaun Curran, followed safe driving behaviour and acted responsibly as a road user, Rian would be still alive. 'The consequences of his actions changed our lives forever and devastated our family.'
