A former hotelier and local politician will be handed a jail sentence later today over substantial money laundering charges. Frank Kilbride of Aughakilmore, Ballinalee is facing a significant jail sentence according to Judge Kenneth Connolly. The Longford man officially plead guilty to three charges under money laundering legislation at Longford Circuit Court in January. The 70 year appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court on Friday for sentencing.
The charges state Mr Kilbride, on various dates between 2017 and 2019, engaged in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring and possessing property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct to the approximate amount of €2.6 million. A detailed Garda investigation found that three local bank accounts were used over 2 years to receive and distribute funds of criminal proceeds. According to Garda evidence, the money was funneled through a company called TJO Developments which was set up by Mr Kilbride before the period in which the money laundering took place. He was accused of conspiring with well known gangland figure Cyril McGuinness also known as 'Dublin Jimmy', to launder the funds.
The 70 year old plead guilty to using two business accounts and his own personal account to receive and distribute funds to several companies in Ireland, the UK and Europe, several of whom were connected to Dublin Jimmy. Letters from the accused and his wife were presented to Judge Connolly alleging that Mr Kilbride unwittingly entered into the agreement and was the subject of intimidation during the process. These were not accepted and challenged by both the Judge and Garda Rhona Bohan. Judge Connolly remanded Frank Kilbride in Custody over the weekend stating that he did not want to give the accused the false hope that he avoid a custodial sentence. Mr Kilbride will return before the court this afternoon for final sentencing.
