Man accused of laundering money through spending at Dublin hotel
A man has appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday accused of laundering money through spending at a five-star south Dublin hotel and by carrying out renovations to his home.
Graham Whelan (38), with an address at Walkinstown Avenue, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, appeared before the three-judge court charged with 10 non-scheduled offences that include charges related to drug trafficking.
The court was told that Mr Whelan refused to deal with the arresting officer when he attempted to explain the substance of the charges to him.
Mr Whelan is charged with converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using money in the amounts of €1,275 and €2,140 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on January 31st, 2019, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The €2,140 was paid for a room at the hotel. The hotel is not accused of any wrongdoing.
The accused man is also charged with converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Gentleman’s watch at the same time and location.
Mr Whelan is further charged with possessing or controlling a tick list and a mobile phone in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he possessed or controlled it for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence on the same occasion.
The court was told that Mr Whelan refused to deal with the arresting officer when he attempted to explain the substance of the charges to him.
Mr Whelan is charged with converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using money in the amounts of €1,275 and €2,140 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on January 31st, 2019, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The €2,140 was paid for a room at the hotel. The hotel is not accused of any wrongdoing.
The accused man is also charged with converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Gentleman’s watch at the same time and location.
Mr Whelan is further charged with possessing or controlling a tick list and a mobile phone in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he possessed or controlled it for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence on the same occasion.