Ireland Man jailed for money laundering at Clondalkin home
Declan McDonald, 35, a man from Harelawn Drive, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to money laundering at his home on 19 January 2022. Over €400,000 was found at the property along with vacuum sealer machines, plastic gloves and empty vacuum packs, which gardaí believed was a counting house for the proceeds of drug dealing. McDonald, who has 44 previous convictions, said he did not know how much money it was and did not own it, but gardaí did not accept that debt was the reason. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five and a half years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in March 2023, taking into account his cooperation, admissions and family support.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Over €400,000 was found at the property along with vacuum sealer machines, plastic gloves and empty vacuum packs.
- Where
- The property was at Harelawn Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin.
- When
- The money was found at the home on 19 January 2022.
- Cause
- The money was more than likely the proceeds of drug dealing.
- Investigation
- Gardaí believed the property was a counting house with large amounts of money going through it.
- Charges
- Declan McDonald, 35, pleaded guilty to money laundering at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with Judge Martin Nolan presiding.
- Sentence
- Judge Martin Nolan imposed a five and a half year sentence.
- Other details
- McDonald has 44 previous convictions.
- Defence counsel James Dwyer SC said his client had a difficult childhood, suffered psychological issues, and developed a chronic cocaine and alcohol addiction.
- Judge Nolan took into account McDonald's past problems with drugs, his cooperation, admissions, and family support.
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- 28 Mar2023Man 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