Courts / Dublin / Report

Young mum who moved criminal gang cash has jail sentence cut

Date
2021-12-06

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Tanya Breen (30) had her custodial sentence reduced on appeal after pleading guilty to possessing €59,710 in cash, alleged to be proceeds of crime, at a Maxol Service Station on the Longmile Road, Dublin, on February 11, 2020. She also admitted to a second count of possessing the proceeds at her home on the same date. Originally sentenced by Judge Elma Sheahan to three-and-a-half years, with six months suspended, Breen appealed the decision. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, found that the sentencing judge erred in not setting a longer suspension period. Consequently, the final 15 months of Breen's sentence were suspended, reducing her effective custody. The court noted she made a conscious decision to become involved in serious criminality for financial gain. Her co-accused, Laurence Keane (42), also pleaded guilty to possessing the same cash at the service station. Keane was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment, with the final six months suspended. During the original sentencing, Judge Sheahan stated the defendants were willing to risk their good character for small sums, describing the offence as a lifestyle choice with high culpability. The DPP argued the sentence was appropriate given Breen was not in poverty or under threat, while defense counsel highlighted her status as a sole carer for her son.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Young mum who moved criminal gang cash has jail sentence cut. Charges or matters: 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; a second count of possessing the proceeds of crime at her home on the same date. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

February 11, 2020 Incident
2021-12-06 Publication

Case subjects

Laurence Keane

Co Accused

Charges: 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 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence, Judge Elma Sheahan said the defendants were willing to put their good character on the line for either €500, if Breen was to be believed, or for €100 or €200, if Keane was believed.

Tanya Breen

Appellant

Charges: 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; a second count of possessing the proceeds of crime at her home on the same date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Tanya 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 offending 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, not in poverty, there were no loans, addictions, or threats from third parties," counsel continued. "She was offered an opportunity and she took it.