Longford man accused of laundering €2.6 million appears in court

A man appeared before Longford District Court last week charged with the laundering of €2.6 million euro.

Frank Kilbride, Aughakilmore, Ballinalee, Co Longford faced three charges contrary to Section 7 (1)(a)(ii), 7(1)(b) & 7(3) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing Act 2010).

Garda David Kerrigan of Cavan Garda station provided evidence of the arrest, charge and caution to Judge Bernadette Owens.

The first charge alleges that the 69-year-old defendant, on various dates between 27/09/2017 and 26/11/2017 both dates inclusive at locations within the state, did engage in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing, using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit approximately €10,000 euro while knowing that, believing that or being reckless as to whether or not the said property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The prosecution also alleged that on various dates between 30/11/2017 and 15/03/2019 both dates inclusive at locations within the state, Mr Kilbride did engage in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing, using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit approximately €867,143.80 euro while knowing that, believing that or being reckless as to whether or not the said property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The third charge states that on various dates between 05/10/2017 and 27/03/2018 both dates inclusive at locations within the state, the defendant did engage in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing, using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit approximately €1,727,420.28 euro while knowing that, believing that or being reckless as to whether or not the said property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The total amount from the three charges comes to €2,604,564.08.

Mr Kilbride was released on bail on his own bond of €1,500 and an independent surety of €1,500 and he is due to appear again before Longford District Court on December 5.

As part of his bail conditions Mr Kilbride must sign on at Granard Garda Station each Saturday, he must surrender his passport and be contactable 24/7.