A former member of the Irish Defence Forces has been jailed for three years for his role in a multi-million-euro money laundering operation.
36-year-old Richard Kearney, of Shancastle Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, told Gardai he got in “over his head,” after accepting what he thought was a “friendly loan.”
Richard Kearney’s apartment was raided by Gardai in May 2022. An analysis of his mobile phone revealed extensive communications with known drug dealers, which suggested he was responsible for laundering over €6m.
Over €10k in cash was found hidden in a bedframe, while a further €15k was found wrapped in clingfilm in a freezer.
The court heard the father-of-two had an otherwise clean criminal record and had risen to the rank of Corporal in the army, a job he will now lose as a result of this.
Kearney admitted having €25,000 in crime proceeds in his apartment.
He said he got involved when threats started to come in after he took what he believed to be a “friendly loan” just before Christmas 2020.
Before jailing him for three years, Judge Martin Nolan said it was clear he was involved in, “substantial money laundering.”
