Cork man accused of money-laundering and drug-dealing found with €672k in cash while on bail

Accused arrested by gardaí in Dublin in February 2024, days after being released on bail following his arrest for drug-dealing and money-laundering offences in East Cork

The total value of cash, vehicles, boat and other property that were deemed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct, totalled over €745,000, court heard. Picture: Larry Cummins

A Cobh man under investigation for money-laundering, drug-dealing and possession of ammunition was stopped driving in Dublin when he was on bail and gardaí found €672,000 in cash wrapped in vacuum packs and duct-tape in the boot of his car.

39-year-old Gerard Hayes, with an address at College Lawn, College Manor, Cobh, Co Cork, told gardaí as soon as he was stopped on Mespil Road in Dublin that his life savings were in the boot of the car.