‘Classic money mule’ case before Portlaoise court

A ‘money mule’ who was ‘exploited’ after she provided bank details has been given the benefit of the probation act. 

Ava Malone (25) of 1 Oak Glen, Stradbally, was accused of money laundering a sum of €1,433 at a location within the State on June 28, 2024. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said “it is a classic money mule case” and there was a very positive probation report before Portlaoise District Court. 

Mr Fitzgerald said his client was very embarrassed about the offence. A third party had contacted her online and she had given her bank details, he said. He explained that the injured party had been reimbursed and his client was at low risk of reoffending. 

“It appears the person in the background was part of a bigger scheme”, he said. 

Mr Fitzgerald described his client as having been “naive and foolish” in relation to the matter. 

“She didn’t make any money at all out of this”, he said. 

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“When the account details were given this person in the background dismissed her altogether”, said Mr Fitzgerald. 

Judge Fay noted that the woman had cooperated with the guards and engaged with the probation service and hadn’t benefited from the crime. She applied the probation act in relation to the case.