Sentencing of Louth mother and daughter money launderers adjourned
Sentencing of a mother and daughter who pleaded guilty to laundering more than €500,000 for the Boylan Organised Crime Group has been put back because a psychological report on the younger woman has yet to be carried out.
Bernadette (45) and Alisha Thornton (23), both of Moneymore, Drogheda, were remanded on continuing bail to June 3.
In February Judge Dara Hayes allowed time for a psychological report to be completed on Alisha.
However, at Dundalk Circuit Court on Monday, barrister Ronan O’Carroll sought a further adjournment because of a delay in getting a receipt confirming that legal aid had been granted for the report.
He continued that the court order in respect of legal aid was received in March and that was the reason an appointment had not been made.
Mr O’Carroll asked for a date in June.
Prosecuting counsel Steven Dixon said the State was seeking finalisation of the matter as soon as possible.
Judge Hayes remarked it seemed there had been more than enough time to prepare the report.
He said that he would allow the defence an opportunity to get a report given the serious nature of the offending and would finalise both defendants at the same time.
The judge added the June date would be more than enough time to obtain a report or make a plea in mitigation without it.
Speaking generally, he said that if psychological reports are going to start delaying matters, the court will have to consider whether they are necessary for sentencing.
Dundalk Circuit Court heard previously that the two women, neither of whom have previous convictions, are related to a prominent member of the Boylan OCG.
Bernadette Thornton, a healthcare worker, admitted two counts of money laundering on dates between March 2020 and December 2022, totalling €282,477 in an AIB account and a Revolut account.
Meanwhile, Alisha Thornton pleaded guilty to two money laundering charges totalling €231,018 on dates between January 2021 and December 2022 in an AIB account and a Revolut account.
A make-up artist at the time of her arrest, she also admitted theft and social welfare fraud of carer’s allowance of €11,840 from October 2022 and May 2023 by making a false statement.
The total amount of the money laundered came to €513,495.
An investigating garda detective said that Bernadette Thornton’s involvement was “more family loyalty than fear” and that she “didn’t profit at all”.
He said there was some gain for Alisha Thornton but not “major gain”.