A VIETNAMESE MAN has claimed he had plans to use almost €80,000, seized by gardaí who suspected the cash to be the proceeds of crime, to open a new nail bar.

28-year-old Quang Nguyen, of Applewood Lawns, Swords, Dublin, was charged with money laundering following a search of his home on Saturday. The man, who works in a nail bar, appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court today.

Nguyen is accused of possessing €78,500 and £10,800 in crime proceeds contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

His bail was set at €21,000 at a hearing today.

He told gardaí that his friends have given him the euros to help him open a nail bar in Drogheda, Co Louth, but did not disclose the origin of the British currency, a court heard. 

Following questioning by defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght, it was established that gardaí had yet to speak with the people identified by the accused as having given him the money.

Lysaght said his client had a partner and a child in Ireland. The court heard he had been legally residing in the State, having arrived here a decade ago after he was “trafficked” through Russia, Germany and Austria in containers before reaching Ireland.

Judge Cronin stressed that Nguyen had the presumption of innocence and had given an explanation in relation to the money while Garda enquiries were ongoing. He will appear again next week.

A decision on his eligibility for legal aid has been deferred pending a statement of his means.