Minimum expected of money mules is to pay back money they took

Judge Eirinn McKiernan said the minimum she expected was that “money mule” offenders paid back the money they were responsible for that was taken from a victim’s account.

She made the comment when she put back a case of a first year college computer student to clarify the situation regarding the payment of compensation.

She observed that 21 year-old Tevin Bihirabagabo with an address at Oakhall, The Willows, Dunshaughlin had two years to pay back the money, remarking while he was a student he could still work.

The defendant was charged with a money laundering offence relating to a woman who received a text message from “her son” on 3rd August 2023, Trim District Court heard.

She learned the next day from her son it wasn’t him who sent the message and she had given her debit card details.

A sum of €2,850 went into the defendant’s account. A total of over €12,800 was taken from the victim's account.

Court Presenter Sergeant Cathal Brady told Judge McKiernan the defendant provided details of his account to a third party. He was not the orchestrator of the scheme. The victim hadn’t the money returned at one point.

Judge McKiernan adjourned the case to 26th November for clarification regarding the payment of compensation.