Courts

Organised crime figure pleads guilty to handling stolen caravan

Denis Hannifin was on bail at time of Criminal Assets Bureau raids at his home and 11 others properties in July 2020

Criminal Assets Bureau carried out searches this morning Tuesday the 11th June 2019, at an address in the Coolock area of Dublin 17. The following items of note were seized : VW Golf GTI motorcar Ladies Rolex Watch Computer equipment Mobile phones Documents. This search operation is part of an on-going investigation targeting the proceeds of crime. Today’s operation is significant in the context of the overall investigation. The investigation is primarily related to the purchase of property and expenditure on refurbishment and extensions. A second search is being conducted at a professional office in Dublin. Pic Garda Facebook

A leading figure in a Co Longford-based organised crime gang has been convicted of handling stolen property uncovered during a Criminal Assets Bureau raid. Photograph: The Irish Times

Liam Cosgrove
Tue Jul 19 2022 - 16:54

A leading figure in a Co Longford-based organised crime gang has been convicted of handling stolen property uncovered during a Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) raid two years ago.

Denis Hannifin (42), of Curry, Athlone Road, Longford, was charged with the possession of a stolen Cosmos Lunar caravan on July 6th, 2020. The bureau and local gardaí seized more than €100,000 in cash, 11 vehicles, three caravans and designer watches, handbags and clothing during a search operation across 12 properties, including Hannifin’s home.

Hannifin pleaded guilty at Longford District Court on Tuesday, where Det Sgt Kenneth Holahan gave evidence about the operation and arresting the accused on theft charges. The court heard that Hannifin was on bail at the time.

Defence counsel Andrea Callan BL said Hannifin collected the stolen caravan from a ferry a week after it was stolen in the UK. She said he was instructed by his brother-in-law to take charge of the caravan before selling it on as “part payment” in what he believed was a bona fide transaction. Ms Callan said Hannifin had co-operated with the Cab investigation and did not intend to profit from the situation.

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Judge Bernadette Owens said given the caravan’s “very substantial value” and the fact Hannifin was on bail at the time, there was an “even greater onus” on him to ensure all necessary checks were carried out. She sentenced him to two months in prison, directing the term run concurrent to the prison sentence Hannifin is currently serving.

He was sentenced to 52 months in jail in May, with eight months suspended, after causing serious injury to his second cousin Denis McGinley in December 2018. Hannifin was convicted by a jury of assault, affray and possession and production of a knife at Longford Shopping Centre following a week-long trial in February.

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