The Director of Public Prosecutions v Patrick Coffey

Amount Forfeited

€5,250 and USD $2,932 (Total €7,381.59)

Court Date

26 January 2015

Venue

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Judge

Martin J. Nolan

Summary

On 26 January 2015 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court ordered the forfeiture to the Exchequer of cash amounting to €7,381.59 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 29 January 2013 Revenue Enforcement Officers at Dublin Airport seized and detained the cash from Irish national, Patrick Coffey, who had arrived on a flight from Belgium. His journey had originated in the Dominican Republic.

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.

Mr Coffey had claimed that he was self employed in the construction industry and that he had been employed in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Mr Coffey subsequently provided two photographs allegedly showing him laying tarmacadam in the Dominican Republic. He did not provide any documentary evidence such as receipts for the purchase of supplies or invoices/contracts for work undertaken. It was proven to the Court that these claims did not stand up to scrutiny. It was also shown that Mr Coffey was not in receipt of any social welfare payments and that he did not have any employment history in the State.

Mr Coffey was represented, however the application was unopposed.