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. 15235Money laundering (possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct) · Co. Dublin · 19 Aug 2019

Semi-retired publican pleads guilty to possessing proceeds of crime after €78,000 found at Dublin Port

Richard Setchfield (67), a British semi-retired publican, was found with €78,000 in cash taped to the chassis of his car at Dublin Port on 19 August 2019, after a drugs and cash detection dog showed interest in the car while he queued for a ferry. Gardaí also seized €1,200 from his wallet. Setchfield told gardaí the money was his own savings, while his defence said he was transporting it for a third party. He pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, as reported on 11 December 2024. The judge adjourned the case until 27 January and remanded him on continuing bail, with sentencing to follow.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court11 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Richard Setchfield, a 67-year-old British man described as a semi-retired publican, pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Where
The offence occurred at Dublin Port in County Dublin.
When
The offence occurred on 19 August 2019.
Investigation
  • A drugs and cash detection dog showed interest in Setchfield's car while he was queuing to board a ferry.
  • Two packages containing €78,000 in cash were found taped to the car's chassis and seized.
  • Another €1,200 was found in Setchfield's wallet and seized.
  • The garda agreed it was clear that Setchfield's assertions that the money was his were untrue.
Other details
  • Setchfield told gardaí the money was his own savings, while his defence said he was transporting it for a third party who was owed money.
  • Setchfield's counsel said he had lost a bar in Spain in the financial crash and later owed money to third parties.
In court
  • The plea was entered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and reported on 11 December 2024.
  • The judge adjourned the case until 27 January and remanded Setchfield on continuing bail.
Sentence
Setchfield is due to be sentenced at a later date.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSetchfield pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe offence occurred at Dublin Port. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe offence occurred on 19 August 2019. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationA drugs and cash detection dog showed an interest in Setchfield's car while he was queuing to board a ferry. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationTwo packages containing €78,000 in cash were found taped to the car's chassis and seized. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe garda agreed it was clear that Setchfield's assertions that the money was his were untrue. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case until 27 January and remanded Setchfield on continuing bail. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherAnother €1,200 was found in Setchfield's wallet and seized. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherSetchfield told gardaí the money was his and came from his own savings. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said Setchfield was transporting the money for a third party. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Dec2024
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Louth resident to be sentenced later for money laundering

    Reports Setchfield's guilty plea at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the adjournment to 27 January, and the defence account that he was transporting the money for a third party. Setchfield told gardaí the money was his own savings.

    accused, Richard Setchfield, 67, British, named, non-irishRichard Setchfield