Laois grandmother pleads guilty to money laundering
Portlaoise Courthouse
A LAOIS grandmother was remanded on bail at Portlaoise District Court after she pleaded guilty to money laundering.
Iveta Pacajova (57), Colliers Wood, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to the offence under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act of laundering money at her address on 9 May 2024.
Garda Sgt Kirby said the defendant “acted as a money mule with an An Post account to the sum of €5,000.” He said that five transactions took place which amounted to a total of €4,999.62 from Ms Pacajova’s An Post account.
Asked by Judge Andrew Gubbins whether the defendant had shown any outward trappings of wealth, Sgt Kirby replied: “She wouldn’t be a wealthy woman, but said she had been given €200 to use her account.” Judge Gubbins asked was there any video footage evidence of the person who withdrew the money during the five transactions, to which Sgt Kirby replied: “They were all done electronically,” adding that Ms Pacajova said that it was her cousin who used the account, but that garda investigations could not find any evidence of her cousin.
Defending solicitor Brian Duffy said that his client had come to Ireland 26 years ago and asked that a probation report be complied to get “a more fulsome picture” of her before sentencing.
Agreeing, Judge Gubbins remanded the accused on continuing bail to 8 March. He asked that a statement be canvassed from the victim in the case. He also asked that a probation report be undertaken on the accused in the meantime and granted fee legal aid.
