Man allegedly found with €4k after 'drug deal' at Longford train station

Gerard McLoughlin (22) 82 Rutland Grove, Crumlin, Dublin 12, came before a sitting of Longford District Court last Tuesday charged with having €3,950 in his possession at Convent Road, Longford on October 24, 2020.

Details of the alleged charge, which were taken under Section 7 (1) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, were relayed before presiding Judge Bernadette Owens.

Garda Karl Foley gave evidence of arresting McLoughlin shortly after 9am this morning by appointment.

He said when the charge was put to him after caution, the accused made no reply.

In giving evidence, Garda Foley told of how he and Garda Tara Hallinan had been called to Longford Train Station by members of the public amid concerns surrounding the congregation of a large number of youths and possible Covid-19 health breaches.

He said his and Garda Hallinan's suspicions were immediately drawn to two youths who appeared "nervous" when approached by the two officers.

He said neither youth could give an accurate account as to why they were in Longford, prompting Garda Foley to seek out an Irish Rail train official.

Garda Foley said those enquiries resulted in the Irish Rail train representative stating how he had seen an alleged "drug deal" 20 minutes before gardaí arrived on the scene.

Garda Foley said a search carried out under the Misuse of Drugs Act on McLoughlin moments later found the accused to be in possession of €3,950.

He said the cash was seized on the basis the four figure sum was believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Garda Foley said he later viewed CCTV shortly before 6pm that same evening where, he told the court of observing McLoughlin handing over a clear plastic bag containing a "substantial amount of white powder" to another youth who proceeded to hand over money to the accused.

McLoughlin did not speak or give an indication as to how he intended to plead while sitting impassively in the custody suite of the court.

Dimitry Grinberg, BL, defending, said his client was currently unemployed but was hoping to start part time work in the near future.

McLoughlin was remanded on bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on September 12.