Image: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie Image: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie A FORMER “MID-TIER” Kinahan Cartel member who never paid tax and was claiming State benefits while laundering tens of thousands of euro in crime cash has been given a fully suspended sentence by the Special Criminal Court today.
Mr Justice Hunt said a headline sentence of six years on both charges was appropriate but gave Ruth 25% off in mitigation, largely due to his plea of guilty. During March’s sentence hearing, the court heard that Ruth allowed his bank accounts to be used for money laundering but has disassociated himself from criminal activity since his 2019 release from prison on a firearms conviction.
Gardaí seized 15 firearms, including a Kalashnikov, a submachine gun, and a semi-automatic weapon that were found alongside a device to manufacture vehicle registrations, while a stolen forklift and a mobile tracking device were also found. Gardaí learned that Ruth had two active AIB accounts in 2016. He had €18,045 in one bank account and €32,041.90 in a second bank account, a total of €50,086. The money was also “recycled” from one bank account to another and lodged in cheques and cash. €34,513 of the money came from “an unknown source”, said the detective.
Under cross-examination, Det Gda Kane agreed with Mr John Fitzgerald SC, defending, that the prosecution case against Ruth is that he handled the proceeds of crime by other people and knew his bank account was being used in this manner. The accused man’s involvement in that criminal organisation was “mid-level”, he said.
#Open journalism No news is bad news Support The Journal Your contributions will help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to youIn mitigation, Fitzgerald said his client left home at a young age, “took the wrong road” and got involved with “the wrong associates”. “An association made in what was initially a legitimate business buying and selling cars and horses led him to illegitimate activities,” he said.
I assume he's enrolled on a FAS scheme and promises not to go bush drinking.
28 previous convictions which include unauthorised possession of firearm ammunition and gets a full 6 year suspended sentence. Great country.
It’s almost like we encourage criminals and wasters in Ireland
Sung like a canary no doubt, mid tier means a nobody..
This guy gets worse treatment for 4 euros of cannabis.
Sure they can't be putting them all in jail, they would have nothing to do only to hound the motorists looking to fill the gaps
Something seriously wrong here
Was there information given out in order to get that sentence
Ah that’s nice. How’s the garlic fella getting on?
Surely it would save millions if we just got rid of the legal system in this country because its obviously a waste of time if these are the punishments being given out.
Maybe courts without juries are not the best idea...