Courts / Cork / Report

Man allowed bank account to be used for €155k uni fraud

Date
2020-07-08
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Cork
County
Cork

Summary

John Cullen, aged 61, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to making a gain for himself by deception by lodging €155,724.68 into his own Bank of Ireland account on 1 December 2014. The money had been stolen from University College Cork and was described by the court as "undoubtedly fraudulently obtained." Cullen's role was to provide a bank account for the funds to be channeled, and he was said to have been "used by others" for a very small reward. Judge Melanie Greally characterised the offence as a "very serious lapse in judgement" and noted that the full restitution to UCC and the lack of actual loss were mitigating factors. She sentenced Cullen to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full on the condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for three years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man allowed bank account to be used for €155k uni fraud. Charges or matters: making a gain for himself by deception by lodging €155,724.68 into his account at Bank of Ireland, James Street, Dublin 8, on December 1, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: He said that his client had been "used by others" because he had a bank account. CNI source report

Case subjects

John Cullen

Defendant

Charges: making a gain for himself by deception by lodging €155,724.68 into his account at Bank of Ireland, James Street, Dublin 8, on December 1, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She sentenced Cullen to three years imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in full on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for three years.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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