A man suspected of money laundering offences in connection with the discovery was only charged after he was stopped for alleged motoring offences two months later, prosecutors said at the High Court in Derry on Tuesday.

Aymen Shebani, a Dublin man with an address at Clarendon Manor, Derry, is accused of driving without insurance and while disqualified, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The court heard that, following his arrest near Warrenpoint, Co Down last week, it emerged he was wanted in connection with the discovery of 61,000 euros and nearly 3,000 US Dollars.

A Garda uniform said to have been stolen during a burglary in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was also allegedly found at the house last November.

Shebani, 27, now faces fresh charges of money laundering and handling stolen goods, a prosecuting barrister said.

Michael Boyd, defending, claimed the Garda uniform had been used by the accused and others as a Halloween costume.

Mr Boyd added: "I understand there is no evidence to connect him with the burglary other than the fact he is in possession of something apparently stolen during the burglary."

Refusing bail, Lord Justice Higgins pointed out: "What seems to have started out as a routine vehicle checkpoint in relation to motor insurance has certainly unravelled into something quite different as January 27 merged into the 28."

The judge said the evidence "suggested a sustained and sophisticated attempt to evade the authorities over a substantial period of time".