Courts / Dublin / Report

More needed to be done to highlight dangers for money mules, judge says

Date
2021-02-12
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Balbriggan
County
Dublin

Summary

During a sentencing hearing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally addressed the case of Daniel Flanagan, a 21‑year‑old who allowed his bank account to be used to hold proceeds of crime. Flanagan had just sat his applied Leaving Cert exam in 2018 when he gave his bank card and details to a man he owed a "drug debt" to. Garda Stephen Hughes explained that the account was used in a "Done Deal" scam where a woman paid €650 for car parts that were never received, and the seller became uncontactable. Four other victims were also given the same account, and the total money found was €2,120. Flanagan pleaded guilty to recklessly holding the proceeds of crime in September 2018 under the Money Laundering Act 2010. The judge noted that while an awareness campaign exists, schools, colleges and banks should do more to highlight the serious consequences of acting as a money mule.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: More needed to be done to highlight dangers for money mules, judge says. Charges or matters: recklessly holding the proceeds of crime on dates in September 2018, contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2010. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

Daniel Flanagan

Defendant

Charges: recklessly holding the proceeds of crime on dates in September 2018, contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2010 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She adjourned sentencing to February 2022 to give Flanagan time to make some effort to gather money together to pay back the victims.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Residence

Topics

Drugs Fraud Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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