DUBLIN, Ireland: A 77-year-old former coffee shop owner has received a four-year suspended sentence for laundering more than 89,000 euros and possessing an encrypted mobile phone. The grandfather, described by family as "idolised," had no previous criminal record until gardaí found the cash under his bed on April 1, 2021.

Giovanni Nardone, of Glenhill Avenue in Finglas, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing 89,570 euros in criminal proceeds and to having an encrypted phone in circumstances suggesting it was linked to criminal activity.

Detective Garda John Rourke told the court that officers had obtained a search warrant after receiving confidential information. Gardaí forced their way into Nardone's home when he didn't answer the door. When asked if he had cash or illegal substances, Nardone led them to two safes containing money, documents, and jewellery. Gardaí later found 89,570 euros in a plastic Supervalu bag in a drawer under his bed. Nardone said it was his savings and that the spot was "a safe place."

Officers also found a cash-counting machine, vacuum bags, and a vacuum packer, which he said he used for meat. A Samsung phone with a highly encrypted chat app was recovered, but gardaí could not access the content. The app did not run on the normal mobile network or use a standard SIM card.

Gda Rourke agreed that Nardone appeared to be storing the cash for someone else and that there was no evidence of unexplained wealth. The court heard that Nardone, who has lived in Ireland for 55 years, had complied with bail, travelled to Italy for family gatherings, and returned each time. He previously ran a chip shop, delivered soft drinks, and later owned a coffee shop.

His defence counsel, James Dwyer SC, said Nardone had trained as a tailor in Italy, moved to Paris at 15, and later came to Ireland to join his brother. Family letters submitted to the court described him as kind, trusting, and deeply loved by his grandchildren.

The money-laundering charge carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, while possession of the encrypted phone carries a maximum of five years. Dwyer asked the judge to consider Nardone's age and avoid an immediate prison term.

Judge Orla Crowe said the case was unusual and sought a probation report. On November 13, she sentenced Nardone to four years in prison but suspended the entire term for four years after considering all the circumstances, including his age.