Friday 30 October 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. 14400Money laundering · Co. Dublin

Dublin man granted bail over €230,000 in suspected crime proceeds

Paul Barnwell, a man in his 30s, was arrested at Dublin Airport by officers from Dundalk, Co Louth, as part of an ongoing romance fraud investigation. A woman had reported to gardaí in late 2024 that she was defrauded of a significant amount of cash over several months, and about €236,000 in alleged crime proceeds was uncovered. He was charged with money laundering offences and a connected charge under section 183 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, and on 27 February 2025 he was granted €5,000 bail at Dublin District Court. He has yet to indicate a plea and was remanded to appear again the following week.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested27 Feb
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man was arrested over suspected possession of more than €230,000 in crime proceeds and a money-counting machine.
  • A woman reported that she had been defrauded of a significant amount of cash over a number of months.
Where
The man was arrested at Dublin Airport.
When
The woman reported the fraud to gardaí in late 2024.
Investigation
  • The arrest was made as part of an ongoing romance fraud investigation.
  • Officers from Dundalk, Co Louth, made the arrest, and about €236,000 in alleged crime proceeds was uncovered.
Charges
  • He was charged with money laundering offences at his address in 2024.
  • He also faced a connected charge under section 183 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 for possessing articles intended for use in a crime.
In court
  • He was granted €5,000 bail at Dublin District Court.
  • He made no reply to the charges and has yet to indicate a plea.
  • The judge heard he had no bench warrant record.
  • He was remanded to appear again the following week.
Other details
  • He must obey an 11pm to 7am curfew at a new address, except when working.
  • He must not apply for new travel documents, having surrendered his passport to gardaí.
  • He must sign on three days a week at a Garda station in Dublin.
  • He was detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region after his arrest.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man has been accused of possessing over €230,000 in suspected crime proceeds and a money-counting machine. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatA woman reported that she had been defrauded of a significant amount of cash over a number of months. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe man was arrested at Dublin Airport. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe woman reported the fraud to gardaí late last year. (rte.ie)
  • investigationAbout €236,000 in alleged crime proceeds was uncovered during the investigation. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationA man was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into romance fraud. (rte.ie)
  • investigationOfficers from Dundalk, Co Louth, made the arrest. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with money laundering offences at his address in 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe also faced a connected charge under section 183 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 for possessing articles intended for use in a crime. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtHe was granted €5,000 bail at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtHe made no reply to the charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge heard he had no bench warrant record. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtHe has yet to indicate a plea and was remanded to appear again the following week. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHe must obey an 11pm to 7am curfew at a new address, except when working. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHe must not apply for new travel documents, having surrendered his passport to gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHe must sign on three days a week at a Garda station in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe man is being detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Feb2025
    Arrestedrte.ie, follow-up
    Arrest made in romance fraud investigation

    First report of the arrest. Adds that officers from Dundalk, Co Louth, made the arrest at Dublin Airport and that the man is being detained in the Garda North Western Region.

    victim, femalesuspect, 30s, male
  2. 27 Feb2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man arrested with €230,000 in suspected crime earnings and a 'money-counting machine', court hears

    First report of the bail hearing. Adds the charge details, the €5,000 bail with a night curfew, the surrender of his passport, and the sum of €236,000 uncovered during the investigation.

    accused, Paul Barnwell, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Barnwell