'International gang' member's €50k Mercedes seized over 'industrial-scale' money laundering

Mr Justice Hunt previously remarked that Thomas Rooney would have been better off using a "cheap banger off done deal" rather than the "high-end" Mercedes in question

Thomas Rooney (pictured) was described as a "mid-to-high level" member of the "international crime gang". File picture: Collins Courts

The Special Criminal Court has ordered the seizure of a Mercedes worth an estimated €50,000 from an "international crime gang" member who was involved in moving hundreds of thousands of euro in an "industrial-scale" money laundering operation.

Thomas Rooney (52), of Betaghstown, Bettystown, Co. Meath, pleaded guilty last year to offences under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Act 2010. He was found in possession of €289,770 and £65,025 (€77,000) in crime cash in a blue Nike holdall at Spar car park, Donore Road, Drogheda on May 11, 2020.