This trucker locked up for smuggling Kinahan cartel drugs into Ireland has been told to stump up more than €700,000 – or face extra jail time.
Offaly-born Thomas Maher is already serving a 14-year jail term after he admitted drugs and money laundering offences and now an English judge has hit him with a so-called confiscation order – which is a proceeds of crime fine. He has to agree to paying some £630,000 – €720,000 – and if he refuses, he will be given six more years in prison.
The order, handed down by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, means Maher (43) has to hand over his house in northern England, cars, lorries, jewellery, a number of high value watches, artwork - and gold ingots bought in Dubai. The judge gave Maher three months to pay or the extra sentence will kick in.
