Dublin man (42) caught on motorway with gun, bullets and €153,000 in cash
Tom Tuite
Gardaí uncovered a sophisticated "purpose-built hide" containing a handgun, bullets and more than €153,000 in suspected crime earnings after intercepting a car in north Dublin, a court heard.
James Bates (42), with an address at Parnell Drive, Parslickstown, Dublin 15, was arrested by officers from the Dublin Crime Response team on the M1 northbound near Balbriggan at around 6pm on Monday.
He was refused bail when he appeared before Judge Cephas Power at Dublin District Court on Thursday.
Mr Bates, who has still to enter a plea, is accused of unlawful possession of a semi-automatic gun, and 15 rounds of Luger and S&B ammunition, and two counts of money laundering for having €153,305 and €920 in alleged proceeds of criminal conduct at the scene of his arrest and the smaller sum at his home address.
He was granted legal aid and remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on August 14th for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Garda John Hynes objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and concerns that the accused had transported a firearm, which could enhance and strengthen an organised crime group.
Garda Hynes contended that, having lost the money, the accused could be pressured to re-offend.
Cross-examined by defence counsel Garrett Casey about the condition of the gun, Garda Hynes conceded that a slide component on the top of the weapon was undone so it could not be fired, but added that it was just a flick of a switch.
Judge Power noted the prosecution's evidence alleging that when Mr Bates was stopped driving a grey, 2008-registered Peugeot car, officers found the €153,305, gun and bullets in a "purpose-built hide".
He described it as sophisticated, noting that it was under a passenger seat and an electronic fob was used to open its motorised lid.
The court also heard that the smaller amount of money was recovered from Mr Bates's home, where gardaí allegedly found electronic bagging, and another fob similar to the one in the car. The court heard Mr Bates denied knowledge of the firearm.
The garda also alleged that the defendant's phone contained messages with photos of significant sums of cash, including Sterling, and that the accused had contacts in the North and Spain; the phone evidence indicated access to large sums of money.
The charges are under section 27 of the Firearms Act and section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
Mr Casey emphasised that his client enjoyed the presumption of innocence and had surrendered his passport.
Counsel asked the judge to consider how Mr Bates had no bench warrant history or record for committing a serious offence and would abide by strict conditions that would be monitored, but the application was denied.
