Courts / Dublin / Report
15-month sentence for Ukrainian refugee caught with €500k too lenient, State argues
Summary
In a 2025 appeal, the State argued that the 15‑month sentence given to Ukrainian refugee Liudmyla Budash was too lenient. Budash, aged 46, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to a single money‑laundering offence after being caught in Temple Bar with a suitcase containing €491,955. Judge Elva Duffy had set a headline term of three and a half years, reduced to two years, and suspended nine months. The State, represented by Miska Hanahoe, claimed the headline term was too low, citing the amount of money, the sophisticated nature of the operation, and Budash's active role. Budash's counsel, Dominic McGinn, argued the sentence was appropriate, noting her lack of prior convictions and the desperate circumstances of her refugee status. The Court of Appeal will decide in early February.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 15-month sentence for Ukrainian refugee caught with €500k too lenient, State argues. Charges or matters: a single offence of money laundering having been sent forward on a signed plea. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 2024 Incident
- April 12, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2022 Incident
- 2025-01-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a single offence of money laundering having been sent forward on a signed plea (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Dominic McGinn SC, representing Budash, said the sentence imposed did not represent a substantial departure from what would be appropriate. "The court might view it as being lenient, but it is not, in my submission, unduly lenient," he said.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Temple Bar
- DPP's view
Topics
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