Sean Ruth gets suspended sentence for money laundering

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Sean Ruth received a four-year-and-six-month sentence for each of two money laundering offences at the Special Criminal Court on 17 May 2021. Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt suspended both sentences for six years and ordered him to repay €9,900 within 12 months. Ruth acknowledged that he would be bound to the peace for the six years.

Ruth had pleaded guilty to concealing or disguising the true nature or source of money credited to an Allied Irish Bank account in his name. He also admitted converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using money credited to the account. Both offences involved knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct, on dates in the State between 1 January and 31 December 2016.

The court had previously heard that Ruth had paid more than €20,000 to the Criminal Assets Bureau and that his parents would help him discharge the remaining €9,900. Mr Justice Hunt said a headline sentence of six years on both charges was appropriate and reduced it by 25 per cent in mitigation, largely because of Ruth’s guilty plea. He said the amount involved was towards the lower end of the spectrum.

The proceedings were reported on 17 May 2021.