Judge rules Limerick poker player’s cash is ‘proceeds of crime’

A JUDGE has ordered the forfeiture of €36,000 in cash which a professional poker player had claimed he won during a major tournament.

Limerick Circuit Court was told the money was seized by gardai who searched a house in 
Caherdavin on May 2, 2011.

Paul Carr, aged 33, with an address at Vartry Avenue, Raheen had contested the application to have the money forfeited to the state.

The court heard the house where the money was seized was occupied by the girlfriend of a friend of Mr Carr, who later contacted gardai claiming the money was his.

Mr Carr told gardai he had given the money to his friend to mind as was known to have large amounts of cash as he did not have a bank 
account.

John O’Sullivan BL, accepted that Mr Carr had won €312,000 in prize money in a Paddy Power sponsored poker tournament in April 2010. However, he submitted the €36,000 seized was not part of the winnings but was the result of crime.

Michael Collins BL, representing, Mr Carr said there was no evidence that his client, who has one previous conviction, had any involvement in serious criminal or gang activity.

However, Judge Tom O’Donnell said he was “satisfied on the balance of probabilities” that the €36,000 seized by gardai was the proceeds of crime and should be forfeit to the State.