2021-11-26
Separating money-laundering mum from child 'draconian', appeal court told
Stage: Appeal
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Breen (30) was given a three-and-a-half-year sentence with six months suspended after she pleaded guilty to possession of €59,710 in cash, which was the proceeds of crime, at Maxol Service Station on the Longmile Road, Dublin, on February 11, 2020. Grainne O'Neill BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said Breen's money laundering had helped "drug dealers to realise profits from their drug dealing activities". "Deterrent is an important sentencing principle and is particularly relevant in this case," Ms O'Neill said, adding that the sentence imposed was appropriate "in terms of the offence and the offender." "She is not of tender years, nor in poverty; there were no loans, addictions, or threats from third parties," counsel continued. "She was offered an opportunity and she took it.