Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21736Money laundering · Co. Dublin · 19 Jan 2022

Declan McDonald jailed for five and a half years for money laundering in Clondalkin

Declan McDonald, 35, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to money laundering following the discovery of €460,455 in cash in vacuum-packed bundles at his home on 19 January 2022. Judge Martin Nolan described the property as a 'counting house' for the proceeds of drug dealing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo vacuum sealer machines, plastic gloves and empty vacuum packs were also found at the property. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeThe money was more than likely the proceeds of drug dealing. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeDeclan McDonald, 35, of Harelawn Drive, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to money laundering at his home on 19 January 2022 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with Judge Martin Nolan presiding. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceJudge Martin Nolan imposed a five and a half year sentence. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherHe has 44 previous convictions. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherGardaí believed the property was a 'counting house' with large amounts of money going through it. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherHe said he did not know how much money it was and did not own it. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherGardaí did not accept that debt was the reason for the offending. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe fact the money was undoubtedly the proceeds of crime was an aggravating factor. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherJudge Nolan took into account McDonald's past problems with drugs, his cooperation, admissions, and family support. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherDefence counsel James Dwyer SC said his client had a difficult childhood, suffered psychological issues, and developed a chronic cocaine and alcohol addiction. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Mar2023
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    Man jailed for five and half years after he was caught with over €400,000 in what gardaí believe was a ‘counting house’ near Kildare-Dublin border

    Sentencing report: Judge Martin Nolan imposed a five and a half year sentence, taking into account the defendant's 44 previous convictions, his role storing and packing the money, his cooperation and admissions, and his family support. Defence counsel James Dwyer SC highlighted the defendant's difficult childhood, chronic cocaine and alcohol addiction, and remorse.

    convicted, Declan McDonald, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McDonald