A former soldier has been sentenced to three years in jail for his role in a multi-million euro money laundering operation.

36-year-old Richard Kearney, of Shancastle Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, told Gardaí he got in “over his head,” after accepting what he thought was a “friendly loan.”

An analysis of his mobile phone revealed extensive communications with known drug dealers, which suggested he was responsible for laundering over €6 million.

Over €10,000 in cash was found hidden in a bed frame, while a further €15,000 was found wrapped in clingfilm in a freezer.

The court heard the father-of-two had an otherwise clean criminal record and had risen to the rank of Corporal in the army – a job he will now lose as a result of this.

Kearney admitted having €25,000 in crime proceeds in his apartment.

He said he got involved when threats started to come in after he took what he believed to be a “friendly loan” just before Christmas 2020.

Before jailing him for three-years, Judge Martin Nolan said it was clear he was involved in, “substantial money laundering.”

Main image: The shoulder patch of a soldier from the Irish Army. Picture by: Alamy.com