Man on money laundering charges to save €50 a week

A Mullingar man convicted of laundering thousands of euro from a local financial institution has been afforded a further four months to gather compensation money.

Craig Farrell (23) of 309 Dalton Park, Mullingar, Westmeath pleaded guilty in January 2024 to two counts of money laundering under section 7 (1) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 in June 2021.

The particulars of those offences stated that Mr Farrell did engage in the handling/ possessing/ using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct amounting to almost €18,500. Both offences took place at AIB, Oliver Plunkett Street, Mullingar.

Mr Farrell had been ordered to have €5,000 for the injured party as a result.

In defence, solicitor Louis Kiernan told the court his client was continuing to work in the Cork area and, while he had hoped to pay a further €800, only half of that had been gathered together.

“I have €1,950 of the €5,000 held,” he said. “I had hoped to have €800 today, but I do have €400.”

Mr Kiernan added that Mr Farrell was intent on making good his reparation and would put aside €50 a week.

Judge Bernadette Owens said, however: “That’s what I was told the last time.”

Mr Kiernan accepted that when conceding Mr Farrell had, so far, only managed to save €25 a week.

Judge Owens granted Mr Farrell further time to continue with his compensation efforts and remanded the case to Mullingar District Court on June 12.