Longford judge expresses concern that people are ‘still falling into the money mule trap’

A money mule has been ordered by a judge to pay  €500 to the court poor box to avoid a conviction.

Jonathan Donoghue of 12 Newbrook Grove, Mullingar pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to a charge of 'engaging in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using property (money) the proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Finance) Act'.

Sergeant Mark Mahon, court presenter, said that the defendant allowed the money to be transferred into his account and he admitted his involvement.

"This is an incident where the injured party is based in Waterford and made a complaint to the Gardaí there that  €1,198 was taken from her account in two transactions after she engaged in a scam.

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"It is alleged that the funds were deposited into a Revolut account in the name of the accused after he gave his account details to an unknown third party to use after he fell into financial difficulty.

"Mr Donoghue was cooperative with Gardaí and he made certain admissions when interviewed.

"The initial injured party has been fully reimbursed by the bank involved."

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Sgt Mahon said the defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh said unfortunately this type of offence is becoming more prominent in the courts and her client received a message and was asked through the Snapchat social media network if he would be willing to allow his bank account to be used.

"I think this was some time ago back in 2023 and he got no benefit whatsoever from it and his account was closed down immediately.

"This man has been working, he earns about €450 per week and he has always been working.”

Judge Bernadette Owens said this type of court case was more prominent in the media recently. 

"This type of thing  is being covered more in the papers and still people are falling into the trap."

Judge Owens decided to adjourn the case until January 13 next and she suggested if €450 was donated to the court poor box she would be willing to strike out the case.

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