Clare man fails in bid to release €43k SUV bought with €50 notes

AN unemployed Ennis man who gardaí say paid for a €43,000 SUV in €50 notes has failed in a bid to have the vehicle returned, writes Ronan Judge.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Mary Larkin refused the application brought by Ned Doherty (30), with an address at St Michael’s, Ballymaley, Ennis.

The court heard the Toyota Hilux SUV was seized by gardaí in March as part of a wider garda operation.

Doherty brought an application under the Police Property Act, seeking the return of the jeep.

The applicant’s solicitor, Daragh Hassett, said that this is his client’s second such application since the seizure of the jeep.

Mr Hassett said his client instructs that not many items were taken by gardaí during the March search and that the jeep was taken as gardaí left, “almost out of frustration”.

The solicitor said the court was told during the first application, that the investigation was at an advanced stage and this is not the case.

Mr Hassett said he had provided gardaí with proof his client had purchased the jeep from a dealer in Roscommon and the means by which his client funded the purchase; savings and money from a personal injury award.

His client wants the jeep back, Mr Hassett said, explaining that Doherty has a young family and keeps horses.

The solicitor added that his client has not been charged with any offence in relation to the investigation.

Opposing the application, Sergeant Aiden Lonergan said, “These are complex matters that have to be investigated.”

The sergeant said gardaí required time to establish the “bona fides” of the money and that the file has now been completed.

In evidence, Detective Sergeant Kieran Crowley said the jeep is viewed as a “vital exhibit” in the ongoing investigation.

Detective Sergeant Crowley said, “This jeep was purchased for €43,000 in €50 notes.”

The sergeant said the applicant is unemployed and in receipt of €307 a week. Mr Hassett said it is possible for an unemployed person to have other means such as savings or injury awards.

In reply, Sergeant Crowley said the investigation had determined that Doherty had been in receipt of personal injury awards totalling €5,000.

Sergeant Crowley said gardaí have generated a financial profile of Doherty and others and have obtained documents from financial institutions.

The sergeant said a specific incident room has been established at Ennis Garda Station.

“It (the investigation) has extend far beyond what our initial scope was,” he added.

Judge Mary Larkin said, “In all circumstances, I’m refusing the application.”