Courts / Kildare / Report
Leaving Cert student recruited in PUP laundering scam
Summary
Luke McNamee, a 20‑year‑old Leaving Cert student from Loughlinstown Road, Celbridge, was recruited by a Snapchat user named "R Boogie" to act as a money mule for pandemic unemployment payments. McNamee, then 18, gave his bank details and received €4,700 in PUP funds, which he was instructed to transfer to other accounts or use to buy goods for resale. He later admitted the scheme, presented his story to Gardaí with his parents, and cooperated fully. The court found him guilty of possessing the proceeds of crime in his AIB account between 18 May and 30 July 2021. Judge Orla Crowe applied Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act, deferring sentencing and imposing conditions until 14 December, with a possible 12‑month sentence if he fails to comply. She ordered McNamee to repay €1,500 he gained and to keep the peace, noting his lack of prior convictions and his cooperation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Leaving Cert student recruited in PUP laundering scam. Charges or matters: one count of possessing the proceeds of crime in his AIB bank account on dates between May 18 and July 30 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 18 Incident
- July 30 2021 Incident
- December 14 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 18, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 12, 2021 Other
- November 16 Adjournment
- 2023-06-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of possessing the proceeds of crime in his AIB bank account on dates between May 18 and July 30 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Crowe applied Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which involves deferring a sentence and imposing conditions for the defendant to meet until the sentencing date.; The case was adjourned for mention to November 16.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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