Limerick man faces money laundering charge before non-jury Special Criminal Court

A LIMERICK man has appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court charged with a money laundering offence relating to renovation works carried out at his home.

Richard Treacy, aged 34, of Downey St, Garryowen, is accused of "knowing or being reckless as to whether renovation work carried out at his home address was the proceeds of criminal conduct, did disguise the true source of the property".

The offence, contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, is alleged to have occurred January 1, 2014 and January 12, 2021.

At a brief hearing this Friday afternoon, Detective Garda Ronan O'Reilly told solicitor Michael O'Donovan, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that he arrested Mr Treacy earlier in the day at an address in Limerick on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Special Criminal Court.

In the body of the Criminal Courts of Justice building on Parkgate Street in Dublin, the detective handed Mr Treacy a copy of the charge sheet and explained that he was to be charged before the three-judge, non-jury court.

Det Garda O'Reilly then pointed the defendant out to the court.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, made an order under the Offences Against the State Act 1939 that Mr Treacy will be charged and tried before the court.

There was no objection to bail subject to Mr Treacy complying with a number of conditions.

He must notify gardai if he changes address, sign on three times weekly at a Limerick garda station and not associate with certain named people.

He entered his own bond of €100 to be of good behaviour and keep the peace and was released from custody.

Yvonne Quinn BL, for Mr Treacy, said there will be an application for legal aid.

The case will be mentioned before the court again on June 19.