KILDARE COURT: Allowed his account to be used for transfer of €14,000
A third level student allowed his account to be used for the transfer of €14,000, Naas District Court was told.
Patrick Hodurek, 20, whose address was given as 80 Moyglare Abbey, Maynooth, is being prosecuted for converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing, or using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct.
It is claimed the offences took place on June 28-29, 2021.
Sgt Dave Hanrahan said €14,000 was transferred through his account - but it was transferred back to the correct account.
He added the defendant got €500 and he described the incident as “an attempted theft that didn’t occur.”
The sergeant said the defendant became suspicious and reported the matter to the gardaí and he was charged.
Solicitor David Powderly said there was “quick buck to be made”. He said the defendant immediately knew something was wrong when the money came into his account.
He said he went to the Bank of Ireland branch in Maynooth so it would be aware of what happened and he also cycled to the garda station in Leixlip and reported the matter to them.
As a result of his actions, Mr Powderly added, the money was frozen, identified and returned.
He said the defendant made a full statement and told exactly what had happened.
The defendant achieved more than 400 points in the Leaving Certificate exams and is a student at Maynooth University.
Judge Desmond Zaidan said he would have sent the defendant to prison but for the fact that he went to the authorities to report what had happened.
Imposing a fine of €1,200, the judge said there is an increasing prevalence of incidents like this.