Student was 'mule' in money laundering through Offaly bank account

A BANK account in Birr was used for money laundering by a Mullingar nursing student, Tullamore District Court was told.

Kyle Smith (23), Lynn Heights, Mullingar pleaded guilty to transferring, possessing or using €5,100 at Bank of Ireland, Emmet Square, Birr on November 26, 2021, knowing or being reckless as to whether the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The guilty plea was entered by Mr Smith's solicitor, Patrick Martin, who told Judge Andrew Cody the accused had been put under pressure by third parties.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court that the injured party discovered the money had been withdrawn from his account and transferred to the account of the accused.

Sergeant Kearns said Mr Smith had no previous convictions and was co-operative when arrested and assisted the gardai with their enquiries.

Mr Martin said his client had a bank account which was used by third parties to facilitate the transfer of the money.

Mr Smith had been put under immense pressure from the third parties and significant threats were made to him. He did not report it to the gardai at the time and he himself did not benefit in any way from the money.

“Mr Smith was what we would call a mule in this situation,” said Mr Martin.

A student in Sligo at the time, he had been targeted by people who had significant details in relation to him and they forced him to go to certain places to withdraw the money.

The young man had taken a year out from his nursing studies and was working part-time. He had been vulnerable at the time of the offence and had never previously come to garda attention.

Mr Martin said his client was now concerned about garda vetting and would be interested in the restorative justice process.

Judge Cody said it appeared the gardai did not believe what was being said by the defence, that in effect the accused had been “frog marched to various ATMs” to hand over money.

The judge said he wished to hear from the prosecuting garda but was told the Birr-based guard was not available in court to give evidence.

Judge Cody adjourned the matter so the court could hear from Garda Conor Fanning about whether what the defence was saying in mitigation for the accused was accepted or not by the prosecution.

He remanded Mr Smith on continuing bail to appear before Tullamore District Court on January 24.