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A former mid-tier Kinahan Cartel member who never paid tax and was claiming State benefits while laundering tens of thousands of euro in crime cash has been given a fully suspended sentence by the Special Criminal Court on Monday.
Sean Ruth of Stradbrook, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, had pleaded guilty to two crime-cash laundering offences. The three-judge court was previously told that the 32-year-old has paid the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) over €20,000 and that his parents will assist him in discharging a remaining €9,900.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt today sentenced Ruth to four years and six months for both offences before suspending both for six years, ordering that the €9,900 be paid back inside 12 months