House and cash linked to 'one of Cork's main suppliers of heroin' deemed proceeds of crime

The assets included a house in the name of John Keith O'Donovan's mother and €8,590 in cash

In a sworn statement to the court, a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) officer said that "the number of convictions on file do not truly reflect O'Donovan's involvement in criminal activity".

Assets linked to a man, John Keith O'Donovan described to court as "one of the main suppliers of heroin in Cork", have been deemed proceeds of crime by the High Court.

These include a €200,000 house in Donoughmore, Co Cork, and a quantity of cash.

The orders, sought by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), were made by Mr Justice Alexander Owens earlier this month after the court was informed that that the assets were financed by O'Donovan's criminal activity.

O'Donovan, the judge noted, has over 50 convictions for offences including manslaughter, armed robbery, burglary, assault, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of illegal drugs and was described to the court as being "one of the main suppliers of heroin in Cork."

In a sworn statement to the court, a CAB officer said that "the number of convictions on file do not truly reflect O'Donovan's involvement in criminal activity". The officer added that O'Donovan (50) frequently engaged with other known criminals, and had access to substantial funds from unknown sources.

Assets seized

The assets were seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau over three years ago as part of its investigation into O'Donovan's activities. As a result of its probe, the bureau sought orders under Section 3 of the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act in respect of assets including a house at Monataggart, Donoughmore, Co Cork, and €8,590 in cash.

The cash was recovered as part of a search of the property conducted on May 22, 2020.

The court heard that, as well as the cash, gardai recovered methadone, a mixture of caffeine and paracetamol known as 'bash' which is used as a fake heroin or to cut heroin into larger quantities, from the property.

Other materials found in the property included Xanax tablets, which are used to treat anxiety, drug paraphernalia and financial documentation.

Criminal Assets Bureau case

CAB claimed that O'Donovan made certain admissions in interviews with gardaí, including that he was minding the methadone for friends, and that some of the tablets were his. When asked to account for the money he replied that "I can do, but not now".

CAB counsel, Michael Binchy Bl, said the house had been purchased in 1997 for IR£20,000 with cash and bank drafts, and had been registered in the name of O'Donovan's mother Doreen O'Donovan.

However, it was CAB's case that the property was in fact purchased by John 'Keith' O'Donovan. He was in sole possession and control of the premises, it was alleged. At the time of the purchase, it is claimed by CAB that O'Donovan's criminal career was "quite prevalent."

It was also alleged that O'Donovan and his family were of modest legitimate income, and that the value of the assets in question far exceeded any legitimate income earned by him.

It was registered in his mother's name in order to conceal the true identity of the true owner from the state authorities, counsel said.

Following CAB's investigation, it was their case that O'Donovan did not have the legitimate means to acquire the property now estimated to be worth over €200,000, counsel said.

The assets have been the subject of freezing orders obtained by CAB, and the bureau was now asking the court for further orders deeming the property and the cash as the proceeds of crime. There was no opposition to the application, and the judge said he was satisfied to make the orders sought.