Courts / Dublin / Report
Money mules for West African gang avoid jail for laundering hundreds of thousands of euro
Summary
Six workers from Keelings Fruit, four men and two women, were used as money mules by an unnamed "money mule herder" to launder between €4,500 and just under €110,000 for a West African gang between 2016 and 2017. They each pleaded guilty to laundering specific amounts: Albert Joseph (€34,236 and €25,575), Josip Vlahovic (€79,000), Toni Kudro (€8,869), Mate Vlahovic (€6,760), Krisztina Baradlai (€5,900) and Claudia Onofrieciuc (€4,592). The court noted they were recruited from various countries, had no prior convictions, cooperated with Gardaí and were unlikely to reoffend. Judge Martin Nolan imposed suspended sentences ranging from 18 months to three and a half years, with the longest for Albert Joseph. The alleged money mule herder remains before the courts. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Money mules for West African gang avoid jail for laundering hundreds of thousands of euro. Charges or matters: two counts of money laundering €34,236 and €25,575 on dates in June 2016; one count of money laundering just over €79,000 on dates in June 2016; one count of money laundering €8,869 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €6,760 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €5,900 on September 18, 2017; one count of money laundering €4,592 on March 20, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 18, 2017 Other
- March 20, 2017 Other
- 2016 and 2017 Other
- 2022-06-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of money laundering €34,236 and €25,575 on dates in June 2016; one count of money laundering just over €79,000 on dates in June 2016; one count of money laundering €8,869 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €6,760 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €5,900 on September 18, 2017; one count of money laundering €4,592 on March 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: one count of money laundering €4,592 on March 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She was also given an 18-month suspended sentence.
Defendant
Charges: one count of money laundering just over €79,000 on dates in June 2016; one count of money laundering €8,869 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €6,760 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €5,900 on September 18, 2017; one count of money laundering €4,592 on March 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was given a two-and-a-half year suspended sentence.
Defendant
Charges: one count of money laundering €5,900 on September 18, 2017; one count of money laundering €4,592 on March 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
Defendant
Charges: one count of money laundering €6,760 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €5,900 on September 18, 2017; one count of money laundering €4,592 on March 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
Defendant
Charges: one count of money laundering €8,869 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €6,760 on dates in September 2017; one count of money laundering €5,900 on September 18, 2017; one count of money laundering €4,592 on March 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Hoeys Lane
- Dundalk
- Louth
- Beaumont Crescent
- Dublin
- Main Street
- Blanchardstown
- Collon
- Premier Square
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request