Tyrone star charged in ‘Dubai laundering’ case

Court told ‘up to £350k put into his account’

AN All-ireland winning GAA star charged as part of a major inquiry into organised crime allegedly had up to £350,000 transferred into a bank in Dubai, the High Court heard yesterday.

A prosecution barrister claimed sums were moved to an account Peter Loughran held in the United Arab Emirates before being used to buy property back in Northern Ireland.

Robin Steer contended: “I t ’s essentially the definition of money laundering.”

The alleged financial activity was disclosed as Loughran was granted bail on drugs charges connected to a National Crime Agency offensive targeting gangs using encrypted mobile phones.

The 45-year-old, of Tamnamore Road in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, is accused of eight offences, including conspiracy to possess and being concerned in the supply of cocaine and herbal cannabis.

Loughran, who was part of the 2003 Tyrone All-ireland winning squad, is also charged with drugs importation and conspiracy to transfer and convert criminal property – namely cash.

The alleged offences were committed between March and June this year.

He was arrested as part of Operation Ve n e t i c , th e UK ’s biggest law enforcement crackdown on organised criminality. More than 20 people are facing prosecution i n Northern Ireland , including up to eight other defendants already released from custody.

The court heard police have identified up to £350,000 allegedly going into Loughran’s bank account in Dubai which was later used for the purchase of property back in Northern Ireland. According to defence counsel, new information has confirmed those sums are no longer available to his client, ending concerns he could use it to sustain himself.

But Mr St eer c ont end ed that Loughran should be treated differently to others identified in the investigation. He said: “We don’t have evidence in other cases of these large sums being moved i n this complex network i nv o l v i n g other countries.” Contrasting Loughran’s salary with the l evel of alleged bank deposits, the prosecutor argued: “It simply doesn’t add up.”

Bail was granted, however, on condition that relatives of the accused lodge a £30,000 cash surety.

The judge also imposed a curfew, ordered Loughran to surrender any passports and banned him from l eav in g Nor th er n Ireland.

BAILED Former GAA player Peter Loughran

ON THE BALL All-ireland winner