Mayo man charged with money laundering almost €100,000 worth of Bitcoin

Achill man Daniel Cafferkey is charged with money laundering including Bitcoin worth €97,214

By Anton McNulty Published 17th Jun 2026, 19:00 BST Mayo man charged with money laundering Bitcoin from proceeds of crime (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images) Achill man Daniel Cafferkey is charged with money laundering including Bitcoin worth €97,214 Sign up to our Mayo Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Mayo Live within your account.

A MAYO man appeared in court charged with money laundering almost €100,000 worth of Bitcoin which were the proceeds of criminal conduct from his home on Achill Island .

Daniel Cafferkey of Shore Road, Cashel, Achill appeared before Castlebar District Court after he was charged with five counts of money laundering as well as two counts of possession of cannabis for sale and supply, three counts of possession of cannabis and one count of the unlawful use of a computer.

Mr Cafferkey was arrested after gardaí from the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau carried out planned searches at two residential properties in Achill on October 8 last. He was initially charged with one count of money laundering and with possession of cannabis but appeared before this morning's court sitting where he was charged with further offences.

Detective Garda David Whyte of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau told Judge Michael Connellan that after the defendant was charged with the offences he made no reply after caution.

He is charged with five counts of money laundering including an allegation that on dates between September 4, 2019 and May 2, 2024 at Shore Road, Cashel, Achill, he engaged in the transfer and possession of Bitcoin worth €97,214.86 knowing they were the proceeds of criminal conduct.

Other alleged money laundering offences were engaging in the transfer and possession of Cryptocurrency worth €9,906.76 on dates between February 18, 2023 and May 20, 2024; engaging in the transfer and possession of €26,158.94 on dates between February 12, 2024 and August 25, 2025; engaging in the transfer and possession of various Cryptocurrencies worth €10,947.21 on a USB Nano Cryptocurrency ledger; and engaging in the transfer and possession of €6,570.04.

It is also alleged that on dates between April 23, 2024 and October 8, 2025 in the area of Achill he used a computer for the intention of making a gain for himself.

Mr Cafferkey is also charged with the possession of cannabis for sale and supply at Shore Road, Cashel, Achill on October 8, 2025 and at Polranny, Achill on the same date.

Andrea Escobar also of Shore Road, Cashel, Achill also appeared before the court where she is charged with two counts of money laundering.

It is alleged that on dates between December 18, 2023 and July 25, 2024 she engaged in the transfer and possession of €3,665.77 and on dates between February 14, 2024 and August 27, 2025 she engaged in the transfer and possession of €18,000 knowing they were proceeds of criminal conduct.

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Detective Garda Luke Treacy of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau said when he charged Ms Escobar before the court, she made no reply after her caution.

Judge Michael Connellan was informed that the DPP had directed trial on indictment on all charges against the two defendants with consent for both to be sent forward on a signed plea.

There were also no objections to bail and Judge Connellan remanded both defendants on bail to both appear before Castlebar District Court on September 16 for service of the book of evidence.