Catriona Carey charged with money laundering offences

Updated / Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024 13:49

Crime Correspondent

Former Ireland Hockey International and Camogie player Catriona Carey has appeared in court charged with money laundering offences over a three-year period.

The 46-year-old with an address at Rochford Manor, Graiguecullen, Carlow, was arrested this morning along with two former business partners and co-accused John Steadmond and Patrick Maher.

The charges relate to 25 victims and the court was told the DPP has directed trial on indictment, which means the cases will be heard at the higher Circuit Criminal Court.

Ms Carey faces three charges of money laundering between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021.

She is accused of converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using credit balances on a Wise Europe bank account in the name of Careysfort Asset Estates Limited, while knowing, believing, or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of crime.

The offences are contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act of 2010.

Ms Carey is alleged to have committed the same offence at least three times, in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Wise Europe SA offers financial services including international transfers, multi-currency and business accounts and debit cards, and is incorporated in Belgium.

Detective Garda Ger Carmody from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau gave evidence of arrest charge and caution.

He told the court that he arrested Ms Carey at 9.05am at Kilmainham Garda Station and she made no reply to the charges.

The court was told she was “a lady of means” but now was not and she was granted free legal aid and remanded on bail to appear again at the Dublin District Court for service of the book of evidence on 31 January 2025.

Mr Steadmond, 47, of Rossminogue, Craanford in Gorey, is facing 18 charges, including unlawfully acting as solicitor, deception and fraud.

He is alleged to have dishonestly induced by deception 20 people to pay a deposit having falsely represented that Careysfort Asset Estates was in a position to secure finance for distressed mortgage holders and that the deposit was refundable.

In another case, he is alleged to have dishonestly induced by deception another man to pay a deposit having falsely represented that Careysfort Asset Estates was in a position to secure finance and that the deposit was refundable.

The alleged offences took place between the 11 July 2019 and the 8 February 2022, with the intention of making a gain for himself and others.

He is alleged to have acted as a solicitor while not being a qualified solicitor between 20 August 2020 and 8 February 2022.

Detective Garda Gareth Lynch from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau gave evidence of arrest charge and caution.

Mr Steadmond was granted free legal aid and also remanded to appear again on 31 January 2025.

The third accused in the case, Mr Maher, 57, with an address at Glenmalure Gun Club, Glenmalure in Co Wicklow, also faces 24 similar charges.

He is also accused of unlawfully acting as a solicitor while not being a qualified solicitor.

He is also alleged to have dishonestly induced by deception eight people to pay a deposit having falsely represented that Careysfort Asset Estates was in a position to secure finance for distressed mortgage holders and that the deposit was refundable.

He is also accused of dishonestly inducing by deception two people to pay a deposit having falsely represented that Careysfort Asset Estates was in a position to secure finance and that the deposit was refundable.

The alleged offences took place between the 11 July 2019 and the 8 August 2022.

Detective Garda Gareth Lynch from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau gave evidence of arrest charge and caution.

Mr Maher was granted free legal aid and also remanded to appear again on 31 January 2025.