A 40-year-old former airport security worker has been sentenced to one year and nine months in prison after being caught transporting €380,675 in cash hidden in a compartment within her car. Sabrina Carolan claimed she was pressured by one side involved in the Drogheda drugs feud to collect bags at the Carrickdale Hotel in Ravensdale, Dundalk, near the border.
Details of the Case
Carolan, of Rowan Heights, Drogheda, Co Louth, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering at Dundalk Circuit Court on Wednesday. She had previously worked in security at the airport in Cork for two years, and with people with autism for another two years, after moving from Drogheda seven years prior.
Gardaí discovered the cash, contained in a Minecraft backpack and other bags, after finding a false compartment between the rear seats and the boot of Carolan’s car. She told investigators she was unaware of the contents of the bags, suspecting only a little amount of drugs. CCTV footage confirmed she collected the bags at the Carrickdale Hotel.
Carolan admitted to using cannabis and stated she and her mother had received threats, though Garda Ward indicated there was no credible threat related to the Drogheda feud. She had returned to Drogheda to care for her ailing mother and grandmother.
The court heard Carolan’s cousins are “heavily involved in organised crime and belong to a well-known crime family in Drogheda.” Judge Dara Hayes noted Carolan’s financial means did not align with the amount of cash she was transporting. She had recently lost a job as a driver.
What Happens Next?
Carolan will serve a prison sentence of one year and nine months, with the final 15 months suspended. She is expected to engage with the Probation Services and pursue residential treatment for substance abuse. , upon release, she will resume caring for her mother and grandmother. Further investigations into the Drogheda drugs feud could potentially arise from this case, though that remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sabrina Carolan charged with?
Sabrina Carolan was charged with and pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.
Where did Sabrina Carolan previously work?
Sabrina Carolan previously worked in security at the airport in Cork for two years and with people with autism for another two years.
How much cash was found in the car?
€380,675 in cash was found concealed in a hidden compartment in Carolan’s car.
What role do family connections play in cases like this?