Limerick man claims thousands found in cash seizure was from selling a horse

A MAN who said that a portion of the €35,000 cash found in his bedside locker was from the sale of a horse, is due to be sentenced in Limerick Circuit Court.

Thomas O’Dwyer, 33, had his home address at Cathedral Court on Pennywell Street searched by the Garda Drugs Unit on April 27, 2023.

Gardaí found two packages of drugs - with a combined street value of €5,224 in the man’s garage - as well as empty packets used for drugs.

Gardaí found a number of betting slips in his bedroom - alongside over €35,000 stacked in his locker.

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Mr O’Dwyer pleaded guilty to money laundering and drug possession.

Confirming the facts of the case with Detective Adrian Cahill, Barrister John O’Sullivan said that Mr O’Dwyer claimed that he won €9,000 of the money on bets.

Mr O’Dwyer told gardaí in an interview that he came into possession of €10,000 from selling a horse and a harness.

He further explained that the money was to go towards his wedding.

Mr O’Sullivan said that Mr O’Dwyer could only supply limited evidence and details for the sale of the horse and harness.

Mr O'Dwyer further stated that he was “minding the drugs” and would package it into smaller amounts when he would get calls to deliver the drugs.

Detective Cahill said the vacuum packing of cash is an indicator that it came from criminality, and that he “would be willing to believe he was holding the drugs on behalf of an organised crime group”.

Mr O’Dwyer’s barrister, Yvonne Quinn, said that Mr O’Dwyer’s involvement in criminality was as “a foot soldier”, which the detective agreed with. The barrister said the man has no previous convictions.

In mitigation, Ms Quinn said that Mr O’Dwyer “excelled at soccer but had an accident that ended his career”. The barrister said that the accident resulted in the man hurting his back which led the man to cannabis use.

The court heard that he previously worked at a casino for seven years as a supervisor, and has “never been in trouble before”.

Ms Quinn stated that Mr O’Dwyer has a good family - which is made up of seven siblings, and his parents who he lives with.

The man also has a financeé and a young child.

Ms Quinn implored Judge Colin Daly for leniency in his sentencing, and said that her client is “very scared of facing a custodial sentence”.

Judge Daly adjourned the sentencing to a later date in February.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme