Kildare man who allegedly had €160,000 cash in a bag doesn't get passport back
The court heard he was required to travel by his employer
A man allegedly found with €160,000 worth of cash in a shopping gift bag failed in a bid to have his passport returned.
The application was made at Naas District Court on behalf of Stephen Murphy, 36, whose address was given as 37 White Oaks Green, Newbridge.
He faces an allegation of possessing, transferring, possessing or handling money on Tougher’s Industrial Estate on June 13, 2024.
It was alleged by Detective Garda Kate Gilligan in court that the defendant was observed leaving a house in Newbridge and going to Tougher’s.
It was further alleged he met another male who was seen travelling to Dublin where some €1m was found in shopping bags.
Det Gda Gilligan said he faces an allegation of breaching a section of the money laundering legislation.
The garda alleged the money is the proceeds of drug dealing.
The defendant has been on bail and the court heard that he has abided by all bail conditions.
The court also heard that the defendant is required to travel abroad by his employer.
Det Gda Gilligan agreed the gardaí had returned the passport on two occasions to the defendant “when we knew where he was going.”
Judge Desmond Zaidan noted there is a distinction between returning the passport on a short term basis and on a permanent basis. The judge did agree to alter the signing on conditions requiring him to do this twice instead of three times a week.