A builder who was intimidated into laundering money and holding heroin for a drugs gang has been jailed for six years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne.
John Walshe (49), of Templeview Drive, Balgriffin, Co Dublin, had a gun held to his head and his home ransacked by thugs on behalf of a major criminal organisation. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling £80,000 knowing it was the proceeds of drugs dealing and to having heroin in August and October 1998. He has no previous convictions.
Det Garda Thomas Madden, of the National Drug Unit, said this case was most unusual in that Walshe was not paid for his role. Walshe's problems arose from a civil debt. He sought a loan and was approached by people who then charged such high interest he could not keep up repayments.
Walshe was then forced to become "an employee" of the organisation. His primary role was to transport Irish money for the gang so that it could be laundered into sterling. He made four such runs. The gang also forced him to store heroin.
He said Walshe appeared relieved to have been caught by gardai and had not sought bail.
He earlier said that after heroin valued at £700,000 was found at Ballyboghill, Co Dublin, last August, Garda investigations led to Walshe, who admitted his role.
Judge Dunne unconditionally suspended the final four years of the sentence.