Irish Poker Player Seeks Return Of €36,000 From Police

In 2011, Irish police seized €36,000 from the home of Jason Ahern which they claimed was the proceeds of crime. Ahern is the friend of Irish poker player Paul Carr and immediately after the bust, Carr claimed that the money was his and part of his winnings from the 2010 Irish Open, which he placed 2nd in for a payout of €312,600 ($421,538).
However, the police remained unconvinced and after losing his case at the District Court, Carr took his case to the higher Limerick Court in an attempt to stop the money being forfeited to the state.
The €3,500 buy-in tournament originally took place at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, and at the time attracted a record 708 player field. This included a number of celebrity names, such as former soccer players Teddy Sheringham and Tony Cascarino, Irish snooker player Ken Doherty, and former Eastenders actor Michael Greco.
At the time of the tournament which accounts for almost all of Carr’s $463,326 live tournament winnings, the then 30 year old was working as a window-blind fitter and living in one of Ireland’s most deprived estates. Four days of action later, the Moyross, Co Limerick man subsequently finished the runner-up after which a tournament spokesman commented:
“Paul was very unlucky to come second, as he dominated the final table and at one stage was one card away from winning the title. Paul brought dozens of supporters up with him from Limerick, which really added to the great atmosphere in the tournament hall.”
The court case has now been adjourned until mid January 2013 after the Counsel for the State, John O’Sullivan, requested time to call gambling company Paddy Power to the stand, the organizers of the tournament in which Carr made his big score.