Limerick man charged with money laundering over house renovation

Richard Treacy appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Friday morning

Richard Treacy appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Friday morning. Stock Image.

A Limerick man has been charged at the Special Criminal Court for an alleged money laundering offence relating to renovation work carried out at his home.

Richard Treacy (34), of Downey St, Garryowen, Co Limerick was charged on Friday that between January 1, 2014 and January 12, 2021, with knowing or being reckless as to whether renovation work carried out at his home address was the proceeds of criminal conduct, or did disguise the true source of the property.

The offence is contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

At a brief hearing, Detective Garda Ronan O'Reilly told solicitor Michael O'Donovan, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that he arrested Mr Treacy on Friday morning at an address in Limerick on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Special Criminal Court. In the body of the Criminal Courts of Justice building on Parkgate St in Dublin, Gda O'Reilly handed Mr Treacy a copy of the charge sheet and explained that he was to be charged before the three-judge, non-jury court. The garda pointed out Mr Treacy to the court.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, made an order under the Offences Against the State Act 1939 that Mr Treacy will be charged and tried before the court.

The State agreed bail conditions for Mr Treacy including that he must notify gardaí if he changes address, sign on three times weekly at a Limerick garda station and that he not associate with certain named people. He entered his own bond of €100 to be of good behaviour and keep the peace and was released from custody.

Yvonne Quinn BL, for Mr Treacy, said there will be an application for legal aid. The case will be mentioned before the court again on June 19.