Cork man pleads guilty to money laundering, drug dealing, and having silencers and ammunition

Man admits possession of proceeds of criminal conduct over boat worth €86,000

The man appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he affirmed the signed pleas of guilty which he had entered to the ammunition, drugs, and money-laundering charges.

A Cobh man who was caught in Dublin laundering €672,000 in cash that was the proceeds of criminal conduct and having an €86,000 house boat on the river at East Ferry in Cork was remanded in custody today for sentencing on May 22.

Gerard Hayes, aged 39, with an address at College Lawn, College Manor, Cobh, Co Cork, also confessed to cocaine dealing, and possession of large quantities of ammunition and silencers for firearms.

He appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he affirmed the signed pleas of guilty which he had entered to the ammunition, drugs, and money laundering charges.

The most serious charge states that on February 20, 2024, at Mespil Road, Dublin 4, he did engage in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing, and using property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely cash to the value of €672,000 while knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether or not the said property was the proceeds of crime, contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

Defence senior counsel Elizabeth O’Connell said following the affirmation of the signed pleas of guilty that the defence sought a probation report and a prison governor’s report in advance of sentencing.

“There is a recent addiction issue and there has been engagement with addiction services.

“The case involved a considerable amount of cash. I believe it (probation report) would be of assistance,” Ms O’Connell said. Judge Boyle acceded to the application and remanded the accused in custody for sentencing on May 22.

As well as the Mespil Road money laundering charge, there was also a charge on the same date related to his home in Cobh involving €10,050. A third money laundering charge related to €450 at Ballynoe, Cobh, on May 5, 2024.

Also on May 5, he had cocaine for sale or supply at Ballynoe and permitted the possession of cocaine in his car.

Another money laundering charge was admitted by Mr Hayes in respect of €62,800 in cash at Ballydaniel, Ballymore, Cobh, on February 10 last year. He also admitted counts related to cocaine dealing.

And there were multiple counts related to ammunition and silencers for firearms.

Finally, on February 12, 2024, at Ballynacorra River, East Ferry, Midleton, he admitted possession of proceeds of criminal conduct in the form of a boat, including contents and engine, with a value of €86,000.

An outline of the facts of the case that gave rise to the total of 23 charges will be given by the investigating member of An Garda Síochána at the sentencing hearing.