‘Madam, you’re bleeding the system’

A Romanian woman who pulled out bundles of €50 notes to peel off €100 towards securing her release on bail, was ordered by a judge to “hand the whole lot over, and the rest”, referring to sterling that she had separated from her euros and placed inside her blouse in the court.

Judge James O’Connor earlier said she was “bleeding the system” and could well understand English without the need for an interpreter. He also refused the woman’s request, conveyed through her solicitor, to return a small amount of the money, for the bus back to Millstreet, Co Cork.

Sgt Kieran O’Connell was ordered by Judge James O’Connor to count the money and found a total of 1,450 in €50 denominations and a further £140 sterling.