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Woman who laundered €119k in crime cash didn't know where it came from, court hears
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Lisa O'Hara (32) and her former partner James Walsh (37) pleaded guilty to multiple counts of handling or possessing cash that was believed to be the proceeds of crime. O'Hara admitted she did not know the money's origin but was reckless in not asking questions. The pair used €60,000 for a house deposit and paid a builder €62,000 in cash for work on their home. Walsh pleaded guilty to 12 counts involving €136,861, while O'Hara pleaded guilty to nine counts involving €119,126, all between 2015 and 2017. Walsh was also serving an eight‑year firearms sentence from a 2017 raid. The court noted O'Hara's remorse, good work record, and role as sole carer, and adjourned sentencing to 30 July.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman who laundered €119k in crime cash didn't know where it came from, court hears. Charges or matters: multiple counts of laundering more than €100,000 in crime cash didn't know where the money came from but was reckless in not asking questions, the Special Criminal Court has heard; 12 counts of possessing, handling, using, converting or transferring cash while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the cash was the proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to Section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act; nine counts totalling €119,126 for offences between January 1, 2015 and early 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1, 2015 Other
- 24 January Other
- January 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 30 Adjournment
- 2015 and 2017 Other
- 2021-07-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 12 counts of possessing, handling, using, converting or transferring cash while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the cash was the proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to Section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act; nine counts totalling €119,126 for offences between January 1, 2015 and early 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Lawlor told the court that her client is the sole carer for the child she had with Walsh and asked the court to consider a sentence that would allow her to remain in her community. In his plea to the court, Mr Staunton said Walsh is serving an eight-year sentence for firearms offences arising from the raid in January 2017.; Mr Justice Hunt, presiding, adjourned sentencing until July 30.
Defendant
Charges: multiple counts of laundering more than €100,000 in crime cash didn't know where the money came from but was reckless in not asking questions, the Special Criminal Court has heard; 12 counts of possessing, handling, using, converting or transferring cash while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the cash was the proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to Section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act; nine counts totalling €119,126 for offences between January 1, 2015 and early 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Hunt, presiding, adjourned sentencing until July 30.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Wheatfield Avenue
- Dublin
- Greenogue Industrial Estate
- was interviewed at Lucan Garda Station
- Lucan
Topics
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