Saturday 31 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. 19286Money laundering · Co. Clare · 24 Nov 2020

Limerick man sentenced to five years four months for money laundering

Paul Collopy, a 48-year-old man from Limerick, had cash found in a disused car on the grounds of Carnelly House near Clarecastle, County Clare, on 24 November 2020. Gardaí identified him after matching his DNA to a bag containing some of the cash. He pleaded guilty at a very late stage to a money laundering offence concerning €16,695, although one article gives the figure as €16,965. On 1 November 2023, Judge Francis Comerford at Ennis Circuit Court imposed a 64-month prison term, to run concurrently with a ten-year drugs term.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Nov
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Paul Collopy, a 48-year-old man from Limerick, was sentenced for money laundering.
Where
The money was proceeds of crime found in a disused car on the grounds of Carnelly House, near Clarecastle, County Clare.
When
The money was found on 24 November 2020.
Investigation
  • Gardaí identified Collopy after matching his DNA to a clear bag containing some of the cash in the car.
  • Detective Sergeant Denis Stack told the court that Collopy was seen fiddling inside the bonnet of the car the previous day.
Charges
Collopy pleaded guilty at a very late stage to a money laundering offence concerning €16,695; one article gives the amount as €16,965.
In court
Judge Francis Comerford sentenced him at Ennis Circuit Court, and the sentence was reported on 1 November 2023.
Sentence
  • He was given a 64-month prison term, which is five years and four months, for money laundering.
  • The 64-month term is to be served concurrently with a current ten-year term.
Other details
  • Collopy had earlier been sentenced to a mandatory minimum ten-year prison term under drugs legislation.
  • Collopy's counsel said he was adamant that he had nothing to do with the drugs.
  • The judge said the money was connected to the seizure of drugs at the same location.
  • Detective Sergeant Denis Stack told the court that Collopy has 81 previous convictions.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA judge imposed a 64-month prison term for money laundering. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatThe money was proceeds of crime found in a disused car on the grounds of Carnelly House. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe car was near the village of Clarecastle, County Clare. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe money was found on November 24 2020. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe proceeds of crime were found in a disused car at Carnelly House, near Clarecastle, Co Clare, on 24 November 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí identified Collopy as the offender after matching his DNA to a bag containing some of the cash. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationGardaí identified Collopy after matching his DNA to a clear bag containing some of the cash in the car. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeCollopy pleaded guilty at a very late stage to a money laundering offence concerning €16,695. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeCollopy pleaded guilty to a money laundering offence concerning €16,695. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe sentence was imposed at Ennis Circuit Court by Judge Francis Comerford. (limerickpost.ie, limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe 64-month term is to be served concurrently with a current 10-year term. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceA five-year four-month prison term was imposed for money laundering. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe 64-month term is to be served concurrently with the current ten-year term. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCollopy's counsel said he was adamant that he had nothing to do with the drugs. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the money was connected to the seizure of drugs at the same location. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherDetective Sergeant Denis Stack told the court Collopy has 81 previous convictions. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherCollopy had earlier been sentenced to a mandatory minimum ten-year prison term under drugs legislation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCollopy has 81 previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Nov2023
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man and former ice-cream seller sentenced for drug connected money laundering offence

    Reports the sentencing of Paul Collopy at Ennis Circuit Court for money laundering. The 64-month term runs concurrently with a ten-year drugs sentence imposed in July 2023. Gardaí identified him through DNA matched to a bag of cash in the car.

    convicted, Paul Collopy, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Collopy
  2. 1 Nov2023
    Sentencedlimerickpost.ie, follow-up
    Limerick ice cream van man jailed for money laundering

    Sentencing report for a money laundering offence at Ennis Circuit Court. The article also says Collopy received a 10-year term in July 2023 for an April 2021 cannabis case, which is a separate case and is not listed as a person in this incident. It gives the amount as €16,965 in one place and €16,695 in another.

    convicted, Paul Collopy, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Collopy