Large amount of cash seized by Limerick gardai linked to ‘clocked’ car
A SIGNIFICANT sum of money seized by gardai is allegedly connected with the sale of a “clocked” car, Newcastle West Court heard.
A number of men, represented by Tom McGowan BL, applied for the return of €10,000 which was seized by gardai in March 2020.
Inspector Gearoid Thompson, who represented the State, said gardai seized the sum of money and believe it to be of “criminal genesis”.
He said: “I accept it is of some antiquity. The applicants have advanced that a saleable car was the source of the funds. We have learned, in the recent past, that the vehicle was allegedly clocked (changing the genuine mileage reading of the car in order to make the car look like it has been driven less than it actually has). A criminal investigation has commenced,” said Insp Thompson, who sought a six-month adjournment
The inspector said one of the applicants has been in the UK and gardai have been seeking to interview him to assist them with their enquiries.
Another of the three applicants is “sadly deceased” said Insp Thompson.
Mr McGowan said he was resisting the application, on behalf of his clients, for an adjournment.
He added that one of his clients had travelled from England specifically to attend the court sitting.
“This goes back to March, 2020,” said Mr McGowan, who added that the investigation into the alleged “clocked” car was “extraneous to matters”.
In response, Insp Thompson said the alleged “clocking” of the vehicle in question was a “recent development” adding: “We are examining this alleged deception”.
Having considered the matter, Judge Carol Anne Coolican granted the application for a six-month adjournment.