Portlaoise woman admits role in money laundering
The case was adjourned at Portlaoise District Court. File image
A PORTLAOISE woman who was given €500 to act as a money mule was remanded on continuing bail when she appeared at the local district court.
Edel Doyle from Pallas, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to the laundering of €3,268 at her address on 30 January last year.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that the funds were taken from a bank account and transferred to the defendant’s AIB bank account.
Sgt. Kirby said: “The defendant acted as a money mule. When she was arrested, she made full admissions. The injured party was reimbursed.”
“Did she gain any money from this?” asked Judge Susan Fay.
Sgt. Kirby said: “She made €500 for allowing her account to be used. The money was then taken from her bank account and sent on to a Revolut account.”
Defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said that the 39-year-old, who had no previous convictions, had been chronically addicted to drugs at the time and had run up a bill with somebody. He said that she had been in a very vulnerable position at the time and had been taken advantage of.
Mr Fitzgerald said that Ms Doyle is now engaging with support services and is in a much better place. He said: “Thankfully she now seems to be turning a corner.”
Judge Susan Fay ordered a community service assessment, as well as probation and Restorative Justice Programme reports, before remanding Ms Doyle on continuing bail to the 21 September sitting of the court.
