Flynn’s presence ‘an interesting coincidence’
Tom O’Connell, prosecuting, was cross-examining the accused, Ted Cunningham, on one of several cash deliveries he received as part of £3 million he said he received from Bulgarian businessmen in the £4m purchase of a sand and gravel pit in Shinrone, Co Offaly.
“I am just interested that there is a coincidence of delivery from, you say, Bulgarians, and Mr Flynn’s presence in Navan,” Mr O’Connell said.
Cunningham said Phil Flynn, former chairman of Bank of Scotland (Ireland), met with him in Navan on the same date of the delivery but only “a substantial time afterwards”.
Ted Cunningham, aged 60, of Woodbine Lodge, Farran, Co Cork, denies 20 charges of money-laundering in a case that arises out of the investigation of the robbery of £26.5m from the Northern Bank in Belfast on December 20, 2004.
Cunningham said he was at a driving range in Rahan, Co Offaly, on February 2, 2005, taking a delivery of cash from an English man who was acting on behalf of the Bulgarian businessmen buying the pit in Shinrone.
But, Mr O’Connell said: “Your telephone records show that at that time on that date you were in Cork in Ballyphehane — that is the mast that was picking up your phone.”
Cunningham said: “I am giving that date from recollection.”
Mr O’Connell asked, “What does that suggest to you if your phone was being used in Cork while you were picking up the money on a driving range in Rahan? Are you telling the truth?”
Cunningham replied: “Yes I am, maybe I forgot my phone, maybe my son had it.”
The accused said that he always had at least two mobile phones and sometimes had three.
The case resumes before Judge Cornelius Murphy on Thursday.
