A haulier charged with attempting to launder over €1.2 million has been refused bail at a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court.
Judge John Cheatle said he agreed with gardaí that the accused, John Fitzgerald of Woodbrook Place, Green Lane, Carlow would a be a flight risk if he was granted bail.
“We believe he would be a significant flight risk because of his situation,” Insp Joe Carton told the court on Sunday morning.
Judge Cheatle said that because of the seriousness of the offence and the quantity of cash involved he was satisfied that the State had successfully shown that Mr Fitzgerald could flee the country.
The court heard that Mr Fitzgerald, who is in his mid-50s, originally from Tullow, Co Carlow and separated, had intended shipping the cash which amounted to €1,212,120, out of Ireland on Monday.
The court heard Mr Fitzgerald made no reply when he was charged, while in custody, by Garda Sylvia Ryan under Section 7(1) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
Garda Ryan also gave evidence in court of stopping a vehicle driven by Mr Fitzgerald at a checkpoint at Ballyvergal, Carlow shortly before 8pm on August 25th and recovering the money.
The judge remanded the accused to Cloverhill prison to appear at the district court there on Friday next.
