Convicted killer spent €100k on 'grandiose' renovations to Limerick home, court hears

Fiona Magennis

A convicted killer previously jailed for “feud-related” offences who has never had a job spent €100,000 carrying out “grandiose” renovations on his family home in Limerick, a court has heard.

A sentencing hearing for Richard Treacy (36) of Downey St, Garryowen, heard on Monday that the house where the defendant lived with his partner and two children was purchased by another in 2014, and various renovation works were carried out over a number of years.

Lawyers for Treacy today objected to the term “feud” being used by a prosecuting garda in relation to the defendant’s previous convictions.

Treacy’s defence counsel, Lorcan Connolly SC, suggested the detective garda had gone “off-piste” and that this was done in an effort to “colour” the judges’ view of his client.

He made an application for the three-judge panel to recuse themselves and for another panel to be introduced, but this was rejected by presiding judge Ms Justice Karen O’Connor, who said the judges were “all very experienced” and were not of the view that there was a problem in them continuing.

Treacy previously pleaded guilty that he, between January 1st, 2014 and January 12th, 2021, knowing or being reckless as to whether renovation work carried out at his home address was the proceeds of criminal conduct, did disguise the true source of the property.

The offence is contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

Detective Garda Ronan O’Reilly told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC that on June 17th, 2020, gardaí searched the house at Garryowen and found £3,900 of sterling and €4,000 in a sock drawer of the bedroom.

Two further quantities of cash were found in a kitchen cupboard.

Treacy told gardaí in a voluntary memorandum that another person was the registered owner of the house and that renovation works were carried out on the property.

He said a family member gave him the €4,000 for an extension on the house. No explanation was given for the sterling, and Treacy said the two quantities, amounting to over €1,000, found in the kitchen were from savings and his dole money.

Garda O’Reilly said Social Welfare and Revenue were contacted in relation to Treacy’s work history and confirmed there was no record of the accused ever having been employed.

There was evidence of some claims that had been attributed to Treacy from a number of court actions.

He confirmed to counsel that a guilty plea was entered by Treacy on the first day of the trial, which had been expected to last two weeks, and it was accepted that €100,000 was spent on renovating the house.

Det Gda O’Reilly said Treacy resides at the property in question with his partner and children.

He told the court Treacy has ten previous convictions, including for manslaughter, dangerous driving causing serious harm and violent disorder. Treacy also has previous convictions for careless driving and public order offences.

Referencing the violent disorder offence, Det Gda O’Reilly said the defendant and some of his relations got involved in a violent disorder incident “with a feuding other family in the city”.

Regarding the manslaughter conviction, Garda O’Reilly said this was “another feud-related incident”. He said the deceased was a relation of a high-end criminal in the city.

Lorcan Connolly SC, for Treacy, said this “additional information” was unnecessary. He said Treacy’s last conviction was nine years ago and highlighted that this coincided with the arrival of his children.

In cross-examination, Garda O’Reilly agreed with counsel that the subject matter on the indictment was in relation to the renovation and the works were done over a number of years.

He confirmed that no charges were brought in relation to the sums of money found in the house.

Mr Connolly said his client resides at the property in question with his partner and two children.

He said his client has an active role in his children’s upbringing and has been a positive influence in their lives.

He asked the court to consider the amount of money involved relative to other cases and to the passage of time involved, spanning a period of some seven years.

He said the house was a “relatively modest” home in a council estate and was not like other cases involving a “palatial home” overlooking a scenic view.

A period of nine years has elapsed in which Treacy has been “trouble-free”, he said.

Mr Connolly said he was “taken aback” by the fact that Det Gda O’Reilly had mentioned the word “feud” in relation to his client’s previous convictions. He said this was done off the garda’s “own bat”.

He said prosecuting counsel had “carefully” led the garda through his evidence, but Det Gda O’Reilly had gone “off-piste” by mentioning feuds.

He suggested the only reason for this was to “colour” the court’s view of his client.

He made an application for the three-judge panel to recuse themselves and for another panel to be introduced.

Ms Murphy said the evidence and the basis the plea was entered on was that monies had been paid for renovations on a home in the city centre, making it “grandiose”.

She said no evidence has been given in relation to those monies other than in circumstances where Treacy has been on social welfare.

She said there was no evidence of him ever earning a living and that, bar some civil claims, there was no explanation for those monies.

She said nothing had been said that wasn’t true, and Det Gda O’Reilly had simply “placed context” on Treacy’s previous convictions.

Ms Murphy said there was no evidence in relation to the plea before the court that linked it to the other matters.

Ms Justice O’Connor said the three-judge panel were not prepared to recuse themselves and did not believe it was necessary to do so.

She said the panel “are all very experienced” and were not of the view that there was any problem in continuing.

Mr Connolly said one of the key factors when it comes to a money laundering offence is the amount involved.

He said this wasn’t a “standard case” where gardaí found €100,000 or €200,000 in a shoebox.

He said his client’s plea of guilty was valuable to the court and handed in a number of testimonials on Treacy’s behalf.

Ms Justice O’Connor adjourned the matter to October 20th for finalisation.