Galway man's passport seized after 13 drug and money-laundering charges
Olgierd Frankowski, 47, faces 13 charges linked to two Galway premises. His case is heading to the Circuit Criminal Court.
Galway court hears passport seized as drug and money-laundering case advances
Google News IE — Crime (en) reports that a 47-year-old man charged with drugs and money-laundering offences connected to two Galway city premises will have his case heard before the Circuit Criminal Court.
Olgierd Frankowski, with an address at 1A The Cobblestones, Eyre Street, appeared at Galway District Court on Friday. He had first been brought before a special sitting of the court the previous Thursday, when the State did not oppose bail, subject to conditions. However, Frankowski spent a night in custody after a difficulty arose with the €5,000 cash surety the State required.
By Friday, the woman acting as surety — Agnieszka Sendor, named in court as a friend of the accused — was present with €5,000 in cash, allowing the matter to proceed.
Judge Gerard Furlong noted he had already heard evidence of arrest, charge and caution. Under caution, Frankowski responded with various replies of "okay" and made no reply to a number of the 13 charges before the court.
Strict bail conditions imposed
Judge Furlong set out the bail conditions to Ms Sendor, explaining that responsibility for the accused's compliance rested with her, and that both her €5,000 and her liberty would be at risk should any breach occur.
Frankowski must reside at an address in Knocknacarra, observe a curfew, sign on daily at a Garda station, and refrain from applying for any travel documents in Ireland or Poland. His passport is currently in the possession of the gardaí. An additional condition prohibits him from trading in any digital or crypto currencies.
Both the accused and Ms Sendor confirmed to Judge Furlong that they understood the terms.
Charges span two city premises
Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court, with consent for the accused to be sent forward on a signed plea should one arise.
Judge Furlong remanded Frankowski on bail to appear again on 9 November and granted the State's application to extend the 42-day period for service of the book of evidence — should it be required — to the same date. Defence counsel Nicholas Hall BL asked that disclosure be supplied to solicitor Sarah Ryan before the next court date.
Frankowski faces a charge that on 30 September 2022, at the Escape Rooms on Dominick Street, Galway, he engaged in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using €12,700 in cash that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.
He also faces six charges of possession of controlled drugs — cannabis, amphetamine and MDMA — contrary to section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, at 1A The Cobblestones and the Escape Rooms on 30 September 2022.
A further six charges under section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act allege that Frankowski possessed quantities of the same substances for sale or supply at both locations on the same date.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)