Man seeking return of €8,000 from Newbridge Gardaí

A man that had €8,000 seized by Newbridge Gardaí appeared at Naas District Court, appealing for the money to be returned.

Evidence was given how Detective Seamus Doyle, of Newbridge Garda Station,  stopped  a car on February 2014.  Detective Doyle outlined to the court how an iphone 5 and €8,000 was seized. The €8,000 was found under the seat of a car.

The court heard how Detective Doyle stopped the car following two other individuals being found at the location of a grow house in Newbridge, just two days previously,  with an estimated value of €160,000. Detective Doyle said that he stopped the car because the girlfriend of the man leasing a house where the growhouse was located, was in the car, along with her brother who was understood to be  an associate of this man.

Inspector Mel Smith outlined to the court how the accused, a Polish national, gave three reasons why there was €8,000 in the car.

The court heard how he first said that the money was going to be used to purchase a car for his girlfriend. Inspector Smith added that the other two reasons given were that he had been saving the money for many years and the third reason was that his mother had given him the money.

The accused's mother, appeared in Naas District Court. Under cross-examination she said that she gave €8,000 to her son.

Defence Solicitor, Tim Kennelly, asked her what she believed the money would be used for. She responded that she understood her son would open a shop selling female clothing, in Newbridge.

She told the court how she withdrew €7,000 from a joint account that she holds with her daughter and gave €1,000 of her own.

The accused's mother said that she withdrew the €7,000 in June 2013 and travelled to Ireland in the winter.

A document was presented to the court showing a withdrawal from a Polish bank.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said: "I have concern about the authenticity of this document."

The case has been adjourned until next Thursday. The accused has been remanded on bail after providing an address at Newbridge.