Louth man (31) gave organised crime gang access to his bank accounts in exchange for drugs

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 31-year-old former milkman got drugs for free from an Organised Crime Group in exchange for use of his bank accounts, Dundalk Circuit Court has heard.

Luke Lawless, Knockbrack Downs, Matthews Lane, Drogheda, pleaded guilty to money laundering on dates between September 3, 2021, and March 31, 2022, on a Permanent TSB account in his own name, and to a second count on dates between September 6, 2021, and April 10, 2022, on his Revolut account.

A drug addict at the time, he was described as a vulnerable individual who allowed the accounts to be used by the Boylan OCG.

The court took into account that his culpability was at the lower end as it handed down a fully suspended two-and-a-half year sentence.

Det Gda Dean Hyland testified that as a result of an ongoing investigation into the OCG, these two bank accounts were identified.

Approximately €30,000 from the Permanent TSB account was transferred to the Revolut account, and of that amount €25,000 was used outside the jurisdiction, mainly in Dubai.

Keith Boylan, the alleged head of the Boylan OCG, had direct access to the Revolut account, Det Gda Hyland continued.

Mr Lawless, a milkman at the time, had addiction issues and was vulnerable. He allowed his accounts to be used and got drugs for free.

He was not selling drugs on behalf of the gang, and was forthcoming with Gardaí on his involvement.

Cross-examined by barrister Stephen Faulkner, instructed by solicitor Paul Moore, Det Gda Hyland accepted that the defendant was “at the lower end of the ladder".

A father of four, he had minor Road Traffic convictions, and had not come to adverse Garda attention since.

He worked full-time as a “snagger” for a construction company.

Mr Faulkner said that his client was ashamed of what he did when in the “depths of addiction”.

Supported by family in court, he is drug-free free and engaging in counselling and support of people in the community on their recovery journey.

Mr Lawless had two children with his ex-partner and two with his current partner, and is effectively supporting two families, counsel continued. Testimonials were written by both partners

Judge Dara Hayes said this offending was ongoing in the course of a significant addiction. He was not sure it was an aberration. The court accepted the defendant had made significant strides.

It was clearly serious offending. The Boylan OCG had wreaked a significant degree of havoc, particularly in Drogheda and the surrounding area. They required assistance and Mr Lawless assisted them in that regard.

A familial connection to the Boylans was not causing Garda concern. It was to the pro-social side of the family.

Judge Hayes said the court took into account how it dealt with a number of co-accused. There was no substantial distinction.

Concurrent two-and-a-half-year sentences were imposed, both fully suspended.

Conditions include that Mr Lawless undergo 12-month Probation Service supervision, and abstain from illicit substances and alcohol.