Man stopped on A6 with £100,000 in cash refused bail at Derry Magistrate's Court

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today that after police stopped a car on the A6 near Moneymore they found approximately £100,000 in cash.

Fergal Satchwell (49) with an address at Ballintubber, Castlerea County Rosscommon faced one charge of possessing criminal property on November 17.

A police officer connected the accused to the charge and opposed bail. 

The court was told that after being stopped police searched the vehicle being driven by Satchwell which was insured to a company with no connection to the defendant. 

They found the cash in shopping bags and also seventy thousand in euro cheques. 

Police also seized three mobile phones which were all switched off. 

The defendant gave an address in Cookstown but police discovered that this was being rented by a female from Satchwell. 

He gave another address also in Cookstown and this was searched a two more mobile phones were seized. 

A police officer said the defendant gave no explanation as to the cash and made no comment interviews.

He said that police believed the defendant, who is a lorry driver by trade, was a courier and added that it was unlikely he would have been entrusted with such a large sum of cash if this was his first time. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of flight and also the fact those who owned the cash would be seeking to recoup their loss.

A defence solicitor said that her client was essentially a courier in relation to the cash.

She said that he played an essential part in his family life and his absence would be keenly felt.

The solicitor said that Satchwell had a 'limited record' and there was no evidence he would reoffend and she added he was resident in Cookstown. 

25-year-old Derry man detected driving at 112mph on A6

Stephen Magee of Arran Court in Derry admitted driving at that speed on August 12 this year on the A6 road near Claudy

Nine police officers assaulted in weekend incidents in Derry and Strabane

They were kicked, punched, bitten and spat on as they dealt with four separate incidents, three in the Strabane area and one in the city

District Judge Conor Heaney said that he had to decide if this defendant could be managed with conditions. 

He said it was 'an extremely serious charge' and there was a 'significant quantity of cash and high value cheques'.

The judge said he was not satisfied with the addresses given by the accused and refused bail.

Satchwell was remanded in custody to appear again on December 10.