A Co Kildare printer who was “working with the IRA” while running a sophisticated counterfeit banknote operation has been jailed for six years.
Richard Molloy (44) was caught selling €20,000 in counterfeit bills to an IRA man in exchange for €2,200. A follow-up search of his printing operation by the Garda’s Special Detective Unit uncovered more than €2 million in fake banknotes and the equipment for their production.
Molloy, of Preston Heights, Kilmeague, Naas, Co Kildare pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of equipment for the production of counterfeit notes at Barstown Commercial Park, Dunboyne, Co Meath on February 2nd, 2014.
Judge Patricia Ryan said an operation like this would likely have consequences to the economy but she was not taking this into consideration as there was no evidence of any loss to the State in this instance.
The court heard Molloy started counterfeiting after the economic downturn impacted on his printing business. Gardaí accepted he “worked with the IRA” but “had no direct involvement with the organisation”.
David Staunton BL, defending, said Molloy had a young child and a partner who was currently very ill. He said he had a drink problem and had “made some very poor decisions in life”.
Mr Staunton asked the judge to consider suspending part of the sentence in light of Molloy’s sick partner and the fact that jailing him would leave no-one to care for their child. Judge Ryan said she had carefully considered the matter and would not suspend any of the prison term.