Large amount of documents delays Dublin man's money-laundering case in Cork

Paul Geraghty has been accused of laundering drug money in Cork city

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the case can only proceed summarily at district court level on a plea of guilty — otherwise it will be a matter for trial by judge and jury. File picture: Larry Cummins

A large amount of documents have been sent to the defence in the prosecution of a 37-year-old Dubliner accused of money-laundering in Cork city where he allegedly picked up money from a known drug-dealer, and now the case has been adjourned for four weeks.

Paul Geraghty of 23 Swan Grove, Ranelagh, Dublin, was remanded in custody by Judge Olann Kelleher until October 25 at Cork District Court.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said it would take some time to consider the large amount of documentation furnished by the prosecution.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the case can only proceed summarily at district court level on a plea of guilty — otherwise it will be a matter for trial by judge and jury.

Detective Garda Jerome Murphy charged the Dubliner with money-laundering by engaging in concealing the source of property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely €1,460, being reckless as to whether it was the proceeds of crime.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that on April 28, gardaí from Cork City divisional drugs unit had a surveillance operation in place on the accused.

It was alleged by Sgt Kelleher: “He was observed walking into Cork city centre and hanging around the area. He was then observed meeting a convicted Cork city-based drug-dealer on St Patrick’s Street.

“He was observed handing an item to this convicted drug-dealer. Gardaí then saw the drug-dealer handing Mr Geraghty what they believed to be money.

“His movements were kept under observation and was seen walking on Merchants Quay on to Brian Boru Bridge and Lower Glanmire Road, where he was stopped by gardaí. During the course of the search, €1,460 in cash and an Alcatel mobile phone were recovered.”