Two charged with money laundering

A man in his 60s and his 35-year-old son have been in court to face 22 charges of money laundering involving almost £500,000.

Michael Joseph Aiken, 64, from Jonesborough village in south Armagh and Michael Christopher Aiken from Moygannon Road in Warrenpoint, County Down, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Both are independent financial advisers and ran a business known as Northern Ireland Insurance Brokers, with an office at Stranmillis Road, Belfast.

The charges alleged that they handled money which they knew to be the proceeds of criminal conduct relating to two separate cases.

A detective told the court he believed he could connect the defendants with the charges.

Defence solicitor Rory McShane said both defendants were denying the charges and would be contesting them if they were returned for trial.

A prosecution lawyer said it was a very complex case and asked for a lengthy remand on bail.

The defendants were remanded until 4 February on their own bail of £5,000 each and a surety of £10,000 each.