Wednesday 28 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. 5359Money laundering · Co. Longford · 1 Oct 2017

Former Fine Gael politician Frank Kilbride remanded in custody in €2.6m money laundering case

Frank Kilbride (70), a former Fine Gael politician from Aughakilmore, Ballinalee, Co Longford, was charged with money laundering over more than €2.6 million moved through companies linked to Cyril 'Dublin Jimmy' McGuinness between October 2017 and March 2018. The case emerged from searches in November 2019 in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Buxton, UK, carried out on foot of warrants relating to the assault and abduction of Kevin Lunney, and Kilbride had contacted gardaí on 29 November 2019 about TJO Developments after receiving a Revenue VAT bill. He pleaded guilty to three counts of laundering €2,604,564.05 through three bank accounts. On Friday 26 July 2024 he appeared before Longford Circuit Court and was remanded in custody, with sentencing set for Tuesday 30 July 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted26 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Frank Kilbride (70) is a former Fine Gael politician from Aughakilmore, Ballinalee, Co Longford.
  • In spring 2017 Kilbride sold TJO Developments to a third party for €3,000.
  • Two TJO Developments accounts moved €1,727,427.28 and €867,143.80 to companies in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
When
  • The laundering took place between October 2017 and March 2018.
  • On 29 November 2019 Kilbride contacted gardaí about TJO Developments after receiving a VAT bill from Revenue.
Other details
The laundering was linked to companies connected to Cyril 'Dublin Jimmy' McGuinness.
Investigation
  • In November 2019 searches were carried out in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Buxton, UK, on foot of warrants relating to the assault and abduction of Kevin Lunney.
  • During the searches a partial AIB bank statement was found in the name of WOI Plant Hire & Supplies Ltd, referring to TJO Developments.
Charges
Kilbride pleaded guilty to three counts of laundering sums totalling €2,604,564.05 through three bank accounts.
In court
  • On 26 July 2024 Kilbride appeared before Longford Circuit Court and was remanded in custody.
  • Judge Kenneth Connolly indicated that a custodial sentence would be imposed.
Sentence
Kilbride is due to be sentenced at Longford Circuit Court on Tuesday 30 July 2024.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFrank Kilbride, 70, is a former Fine Gael politician from Aughakilmore, Ballinalee, Co Longford. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatIn spring 2017, Kilbride sold TJO Developments to a third party for €3,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOne TJO Developments account moved €1,727,427.28 and another moved €867,143.80 to companies across Ireland, the UK and Europe. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe laundering took place between October 2017 and March 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenOn 29 November 2019, Kilbride contacted gardaí to make a statement regarding TJO Developments after receiving a VAT bill from Revenue. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationIn November 2019, searches were carried out in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Buxton, UK, on foot of warrants relating to the assault and abduction of Kevin Lunney. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA partial AIB bank statement was discovered in the name of WOI Plant Hire & Supplies Ltd during those searches. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to three counts of laundering sums totalling €2,604,564.05 through three bank accounts. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe appeared before Longford Circuit Court on Friday 26 July 2024 and was remanded in custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtKilbride will reappear before Longford Circuit Court on Tuesday 30 July 2024 for sentencing. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jul2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Former Fine Gael politician remanded in custody in €2.6m money laundering case

    Reports the guilty plea, remand in custody and judge's indication of a custodial sentence at Longford Circuit Court, with background on how the case emerged from searches linked to the Kevin Lunney abduction.

    convicted, Frank Kilbride, 70, male, named, irish (judged from name)Frank Kilbridesuspect, Cyril 'Dublin Jimmy' McGuinness, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cyril 'Dublin Jimmy' McGuinness