A prominent Tyrone republican appeared at Dungannon magistrates court yesterday to face money-laundering charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
There was a heavy police presence for the appearance of Brian Arthurs (44), Meadowvale, Dungannon, who was escorted to the dock handcuffed to a prison officer.
Police said £20,000 in sterling and euro was found in the dashboard and other parts of Mr Arthurs' car and that the case was part of a joint investigation with the Garda. It was also stated in court that the case related to a continuing two-year multi-million pounds mortgages investment investigation. Mr Arthurs' solicitor, Peter Corrigan, accused the PSNI of "political policing".
Outside the court, Sinn Féin MLA and deputy speaker Francie Molloy said the arrest of Mr Arthurs would be taken up with PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde. He claimed the charges were driven by elements within the PSNI involved in a politically motivated anti-republican vendetta. The PSNI rejected Mr Molloy's claims. "This is tired old rhetoric which has no basis in reality," said a spokesperson.
Mr Arthurs, described in court as a self-employed contractor, is alleged to have dishonestly obtained a money transfer by deception on June 20th, 2006, as well as converting criminal property on July 4th last year. Mr Arthurs denied the charges, claiming that he did not have proper consultations with his solicitor.
The detective inspector investigating said he believed he could connect the accused to both offences. He added there were no objections to bail, but strict conditions would be requested including two cash sureties of £20,000 each, and personal bail of £50,000.
This led to a lengthy but unsuccessful application by Mr Corrigan to have the bail conditions reduced. He said: "These charges are completely absurd and duplicitous. I find the police presence in this court remarkable given the height of these charges is a false claim to obtain a mortgage."
Addressing the detective inspector directly, Mr Corrigan said: "Your case is based on erroneous information. My client was held in custody for 96 hours and the bail terms are extremely severe. Would you accept the body of your case was dealt with in the first 14 minutes?"
The inspector replied: "I would not accept that. There were a total of 18 interviews and this is part of a two-year investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act involving a substantial amount of monies. On the day the defendant was arrested over £20,000 cash was recovered from behind the dashboard of his vehicle." Mr Corrigan said there was no question of Mr Arthurs not returning for subsequent hearing. "In addition, my client takes great exception to the allegation made that he is involved in a criminal gang."
"Mr Arthurs is an honest, hard-working man, and I am in possession of references provided by MLAs supporting his efforts made in the peace process and his role in actively involving police in his community. This is what he gets in return."
The judge allowed for the two £20,000 sureties not to be in cash.