Elderly Cork man charged with money-laundering more than €50,000

During bail proceedings the court heard that the accused had no bank account now

As soon as the total was given, Judge Mary Dorgan said at Cork District Court: 'The court is refusing jurisdiction on the amount.' File picture: Larry Cummins

A 79-year-old man was arrested and charged on Tuesday with 10 counts of money-laundering amounting to a total of over €50,000.

Sergeant Patrick Healy told Judge Mary Dorgan of the total amount of money involved in the alleged offences. As soon as the total was given, Judge Mary Dorgan said at Cork District Court: “The court is refusing jurisdiction on the amount.” 

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the Director of Public Prosecutions had indicated that it would be suitable for summary jurisdiction on a guilty plea. But Judge Dorgan disagreed so now it must go back to the DPP to give further directions in light of this. 

The case was adjourned until July 15 for that purpose.

Sgt Healy said there was no objection to bail being granted to the 79-year-old and no conditions were required. Considering the issue of a cash amount being added to the bail, the judge was told by defence solicitor Aoife Buttimer that the accused is a pensioner and has no bank account.

The judge queried the issue of the defendant having absolutely no bank account. Sgt Healy agreed that the accused probably had no bank account now. 

The sergeant added: “I think he had a number and they have all been cancelled.” Judge Dorgan imposed €10,000 bail but said no cash lodgement was required.

One charge against James O’Rourke of Rosebrien, Newlands Field, Graball Bay, Crosshaven, Co Cork, states that on September 30, 2021, at Permanent TSB, Main Street, Carrigaline, County Cork, he engaged in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely over €28,000 in cash being credited to his account, knowing or being reckless as to whether it was the proceeds of crime.

The 10 charges refer to amounts ranging from just under €1,000 to that figure of over €28,000, and relate to a period from December 2020 to December 2021.