Courts / Dublin / Report
Ex-2FM star who laundered scam cash now 'accepts' she has alcohol problem, court hears
Summary
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned the sentencing of Eimear Black O'Keeffe, known professionally as Nikki Hayes, until April 11, 2024. The defendant, 44, pleaded guilty to possessing €10,000 as proceeds of crime in a Permanent TSB account on November 5, 2020. Two further counts involving €2,600 and €2,400 on November 6, 2020, were taken into consideration. Judge Martina Baxter ordered an updated probation report and urine analysis. Defence counsel stated O'Keeffe now accepts she has an alcohol problem and is seeking support from Tiglin. He noted she intends to repay the bank's outstanding €2,000 loss when her financial situation improves. The judge expressed concern that rehabilitation efforts began only after the previous sentencing date but agreed to the adjournment. Prosecution evidence indicated €15,000 was withdrawn from an injured party's account via a scam and deposited into O'Keeffe's account. Gardaí observed a blonde woman making ATM withdrawals in Liffey Valley but could not confirm it was O'Keeffe. The remainder of the funds was returned to the victim. O'Keeffe, who has six previous minor road traffic convictions, was remanded on continuing bail.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-2FM star who laundered scam cash now 'accepts' she has alcohol problem, court hears. Charges or matters: possessing €10,000 as the proceeds of crime in a Permanent TSB bank account within the State on November 5, 2020; an offence, there is "always public interest"; repaying the outstanding €2,000 to the bank when her financial situation improves. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- November 5, 2020 Incident
- November 6, 2020 Incident
- April 11, 2024 Adjournment
- Christmas Incident
- 2023-11-10 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possessing €10,000 as the proceeds of crime in a Permanent TSB bank account within the State on November 5, 2020; an offence, there is "always public interest"; repaying the outstanding €2,000 to the bank when her financial situation improves (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Then judge had adjourned the matter for finalisation until today and remanded O'Keeffe on continuing bail.
Defendant
Charges: possessing €10,000 as the proceeds of crime in a Permanent TSB bank account within the State on November 5, 2020; an offence, there is "always public interest"; repaying the outstanding €2,000 to the bank when her financial situation improves (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Nikki Hayes, who had €15,000 lodged into her bank account as part of a money-laundering scam, now "accepts" she has an alcohol problem, a court heard as it further adjourned sentencing her until next year.
Places mentioned
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Charge Or Pretrial
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