Judge refuses jurisdiction in Laois ‘money mule’ laundering case
Portlaoise Courthouse
AT Portlaoise District Court last week, Judge Susan Fay declined jurisdiction in a case involving a man who, allegedly, acted as a “money mule” and was accused of laundering a total of €5,364 on two separate occasions.
Outlining the allegations, Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said that on 6 June last year, the injured party was contacted by a person who claimed to be from the Bank of Ireland and spoke with him for over an hour. The injured party was informed that his bank account had been suspended and that he needed to open a new account with the bank.
The injured party was told to transfer money from his account to a Revolut account and in turn that would be used to set up his new bank account.
Sgt Kirby said two transactions took place; the first in the amount of €2,722, the second €2,642.
Sgt Kirby said the identity of the account that the two amounts were transferred to was identified as being in the name of Bradley Murphy (22), 164 Whitefield, Station Road, Portarlington.
He was before the court charged with money laundering from the Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Portarlington at the time.
Asked by Judge Susan Fay what Mr Murphy’s role was in the alleged incident, Sgt Kirby replied: “He was what’s known as a money mule.” Mr Murphy said: “My account was used to put the money into.” Judge Fay asked whether the defendant had acquired any financial reward for the alleged incident, to which Sgt Kirby said: “He was offered a minor monetary sum.” The judge said that the sum of €5,364 was “too high for the district court to preside over. I am refusing jurisdiction.” She went on to remand Mr Murphy on continuing bail to the 20 July sitting of the court for the service of a book of evidence.
