Unclaimed €280k discovered in trailer floor at Rosslare Europort forfeited to State

The matter arose from a seizure made by Customs officers on duty in Rosslare early in 2020.

Prosecution barrister Sinead Gleeson came before Judge James McCourt seeking an order for forfeiture of €280,040.

She explained that the cash was found on the morning of February 12 more than two years ago.

One of the officers selected an unaccompanied lorry trailer for probing at the Europort.

The trailer had no load and she noted that the floor appeared uneven.

The result was that the cash was uncovered and seized.

Though the find was repeatedly advertised in the national press, no one ever came forward to claim the money.

The judge found the application made under the Proceeds of Crime Act was reasonable.

He granted the order sought, making stash formally forfeit to the Irish exchequer.

Ms Gleeson was also allowed an order to cover the costs of the case, though the judge noted that the State would be most unlikely to obtain payment from ‘Person/Persons Unknown’.