Sunday 1 November 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. 21392Money laundering · Co. Dublin · 12 Feb 2021

Three men jailed for money laundering of nearly €200,000 in Dublin

Edward Fitzpatrick, 39, Jonathon Barton, 42, and Gary O'Neill, 40, all men, pleaded guilty to money laundering offences dated 12 February 2021 in Dublin, involving just under €200,000 in cash. Gardaí began surveilling Barton after a confidential tip-off, and a blue shopping bag found in O'Neill's car contained €199,505 in cash. Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, Barton to a count, and O'Neill to two counts. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Barton was given four years, Fitzpatrick 42 months and O'Neill 30 months, with the final year of each sentence suspended. The latest development is these sentences, reported in April 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A former League of Ireland footballer and two other men were jailed after moving just under €200,000 in criminal cash.
Where
The offences took place at Fitzpatrick's address in Ballyfermot and at the Circle K service station at Kilshane Cross, Dublin.
When
The men pleaded guilty to money laundering offences dated 12 February 2021.
Cause
Barton told gardaí his role was to move cash to repay a drugs debt.
Investigation
  • Gardaí began a surveillance operation of Barton after receiving a confidential tip-off.
  • Gardaí followed Barton to the Circle K service station at Kilshane Cross, where he handed a bag to a driver.
  • A blue shopping bag found in O'Neill's car contained €199,505 in cash in three packages.
Charges
Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, Barton to one count, and O'Neill to two counts.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the judge took into account each man's role, remorse, guilty pleas and family circumstances.
Sentence
  • Barton was given a four-year sentence, Fitzpatrick a 42-month sentence and O'Neill a 30-month sentence.
  • The final year of each man's sentence was suspended.
Other details
O'Neill acted as a courier on the day in question, and Fitzpatrick admitted to gardaí that his role was to package the cash for transport.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA former League of Ireland footballer and two other men were jailed after moving just under €200,000 in criminal cash. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe men pleaded guilty to money laundering offences dated 12 February 2021. (rte.ie)
  • causeBarton told gardaí his role was to move cash to repay a drugs debt. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí began a surveillance operation of Barton after receiving a confidential tip-off. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí followed Barton to the Circle K service station at Kilshane Cross, where he handed a bag to a driver. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA blue shopping bag found in O'Neill's car contained €199,505 in cash in three packages. (rte.ie)
  • chargeFitzpatrick pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering. (rte.ie)
  • chargeO'Neill pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge took into account each man's role in the offending, their remorse, guilty pleas and family circumstances. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceBarton was given a four-year sentence, Fitzpatrick a 42-month sentence and O'Neill a 30-month sentence. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe final year of each man's sentence was suspended. (rte.ie)
  • otherO'Neill acted as a courier on the day in question. (rte.ie)
  • otherFitzpatrick admitted to gardaí that his role was to package the cash for transport. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Apr2023
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Former footballer, two men jailed for money laundering

    Reports the sentences of three men for money laundering, including a former footballer, after guilty pleas. The article gives 12 February 2021 as the date of the offences.

    convicted, Edward Fitzpatrick, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward Fitzpatrickconvicted, Jonathon Barton, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jonathon Bartonconvicted, Gary O'Neill, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary O'Neill