Courts / Dublin / Report
Student duped in to renting non-existent room
Summary
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 36‑year‑old Ashley Lucas pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering for setting up a bank account at AIB Drogheda on 24 March 2015. The account was used to defraud foreign student Marlene Lienau, who transferred €1,040 for a room that did not exist. Lucas claimed he was instructed by a Nigerian man in the UK and denied knowing Lienau. Judge Karen O'Connor noted Lucas had paid €1,400 as redress, had no prior convictions, and had complied with bail conditions. She adjourned the case to February to assess suitability for community service, indicating a possible order of 240 hours in lieu of a three‑year prison term. Lienau suffered an economic loss of €1,346 and expressed distress at being scammed and the impact on her view of Ireland.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Student duped in to renting non-existent room. Charges or matters: one count of money laundering, which involved setting up a bank account at AIB Drogheda on March 24, 2015; using a false instrument, to wit a utility bill, on March 24 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 24, 2015 Adjournment
- September 3, 2015 Incident
- March 24 2015 Other
- 2017-12-16 Publication
Why: Lucas wrote a letter to the court apologising for what he described as a "horrible mistake that he cannot take back" and said he had wanted the money in order to finance his studies in information technology. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of money laundering, which involved setting up a bank account at AIB Drogheda on March 24, 2015; using a false instrument, to wit a utility bill, on March 24 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She adjourned the case to February to allow Lucas's suitability for community service to be assessed. She intimated that she would order him to perform 240 hours community service in lieu of three years imprisonment.; She adjourned the case to February to allow Lucas's suitability for community service to be assessed.
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