The Director of Public Prosecutions v Stephen Watters

Amount Forfeited

€19,000

Court Date

18 July 2013

Venue

Dublin Criminal Court of Justice

Judge

Martin Nolan

Summary:

On the 18 July 2013 Dublin Criminal Court of Justice ordered the forfeiture to the Exchequer of cash amounting to €19,000 pursuant to Section 39, Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended by Section 21, Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005, on the grounds that it was proven on the balance of probabilities to represent the proceeds of crime, or was intended for use in criminal conduct. On 7 January 2010 Revenue Enforcement Officers at Dublin Airport seized and detained the cash from Stephen Watters, as he was about to board a flight to Frankfurt & onwards to Bulgaria.

When questioned, Mr. Watters stated he was carrying approximately €19,000, which was concealed in clothing & on his person.

Following an investigation by Revenue’s Investigations and Prosecutions Division, a file on the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions who ordered the forfeiture proceedings.

It had been claimed by Stephen Watters that he was travelling to Sofia, Bulgaria to buy energy drinks.

Stephen Watters was represented at the Criminal Court of Justice by Mc Namee, Mc Donnell, Duffy Solicitors.