A Co Cork chef arrested as part of a Garda investigation into IRA money-laundering has been charged with membership of an illegal organisation at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
The head of the Garda Special Branch, Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Kelly told the court that gardaí recovered £54,000 sterling in a washing powder box when Mr Don Bullman was arrested with two other men from Northern Ireland in Dublin yesterday.
"I suspected that the £54,000 pounds was a money laundering operation on behalf of the IRA," Supt Kelly said.
Mr Don Bullman (30), a chef, of Fernwood Crescent, Leghanamore, Wilton, Co Cork was charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on February 16th. He is suspected of being a member of the 'Real IRA'.
Detective Sergeant Rory Corcoran, of the Special Detective Unit, told the court that he arrested Mr Bullman at 3.20 pm yesterday at Heuston Station. Three men were arrested in the Northern Ireland-registered SUV, and six mobile phones were found in the car.
He said he suspected Mr Bullman of having committed a scheduled offence, namely membership of an unlawful organisation. He cautioned Mr Bullman who replied: "Nothing to say."
The court was told Mr Bullman, a father of three, worked 70 hours a week in two different jobs, as a chef in a nursing home and catering in pubs and clubs across Co Cork.
Chief Supt Kelly told the court that at the time of the arrest he had a certain opinion of Mr Bullman gleaned from Garda briefing documents.
"I have known about Mr Bullman's activities prior to his arrest," he told the court. "I'm not going to reveal confidential information, but I would have known for a long time, My Lords. I've known about Mr Bullman's activities for a long time."
Chief Supt Kelly said he believed the money found in the vehicle was related to a major IRA money-laundering operation.
He told the court forensic teams were examining the cash and the mobile phones recovered at the scene. He said fingerprint tests were being carried out on the washing powder box and the vehicle was also being examined. To date, the tests had proved inconclusive, he said.
Mr Justice Diarmuid O' Donovan, presiding, warned the media that they could report what was said in court but they were not entitled to speculate in a manner which could prejudice a trial.
Mr Bullman was remanded in custody until Monday when a bail application is expected to be made.
The two other men arrested in the same operation were released today without charge. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.