A 39-year-old man from Cobh, County Cork, has been sentenced to ten years in prison after he was found with €670,000 in cash while on bail for previous money laundering and firearms offences.
Gerard Hayes, of College Lawn in Cobh, pleaded guilty to more than twenty charges, including possession of cocaine for sale or supply, as well as possession of ammunition and silencers.
The court heard that ten days before his arrest in Dublin, where he was intercepted with the large sum of cash he described as his “life savings”, Gardaí had discovered over €62,000 hidden in a rented shed in Cobh.
A further search of Hayes’ home uncovered 234 rounds of ammunition, two silencers, and pepper spray. Gardaí also later seized an €86,000 houseboat linked to the case.
Judge Helen Boyle described Hayes as a “serious player in the sale, supply and distribution of drugs in East Cork” and praised the investigative work carried out by Gardaí in Cobh and Midleton.
Defence barrister Jane Hyland told the court that Hayes was remorseful and distressed about the impact his actions had on his family. She said he is now committed to steering clear of criminal activity in future.
