Letterkenny man avoids prison for money laundering charges

A Letterkenny man has been ordered to complete 240 hours of community service for money laundering.

Eoin McBrearty, who accrued a drug debt after becoming involved in a 'party lifestyle', pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering and a further count of laundering money which was the proceeds of criminal activity.

McBrearty, a 24-year-old of Gleann Eadan, Letterkenny, was handed community service in lieu of 16 months in prison on the charge of laundering money which was the proceeds of criminal activity, namely the sale of illegal drugs.

Letterkenny Circuit Court heard that, in March, 2019, the financial crime unit of Bank of Ireland made Gardai aware of alleged fraudulent activity on McBrearty's account.

Incoming funds of €10,000 were received to the account in November, 2018.

When the bank attempted to recover the funds, they were already transferred to another account.

In November, 2020, documents including bank statements and McBrearty's passport were handed over to Gardai.

When interviewed at Letterkenny Garda Station following his arrest in May, 2021, McBrearty told investigators that he was 'young and dumb'.

McBrearty said he handed over his account information to an unidentified male and had no idea when money was coming in or going out.

McBrearty told Gardai that he owed money to someone for drugs. He said he took what he could to pay off his debt.

McBrearty was working in retail at the time. When quizzed about the amount of money, €8,924.71, in his account, which was out of proportion with his income and expenditure, he said the funds were the proceeds of drug dealing.

He said he ran up a debt of around €600 and withdrew money after handing over his card as he didn't believe he owed as much as he was told.

Barrister for McBrearty, Ms Fiona Crawford BL, said her client's account was overdrawn at the time and effectively her client gained €270.

“He was co-operative and forthcoming when interviewed,” Ms Crawford said. “He put his hands up and he was full and frank with Gardai.”

Ms Crawford said McBrearty, who has no previous convictions, was deemed as being of a low-risk of reoffending.

“He was funding a party lifestyle and his drug use escalated,” Ms Crawford said. “He outlined that he did have a drug addiction. He accrued a drug debt.

“He realised that made the matter worse because of how he dealt with the drug issue. He acknowledges the seriousness of the behaviour and has said that he was very naïve.”

Before considering mitigation, Judge John Aylmer said the three counts of money laundering merited 18 months in prison while the charge of laundering money which was the proceeds of criminal activity merited a starting point of two years in prison.

“It appears as if he was engaged in drug dealing in fairly minor, but significant ways,” Judge Aylmer said.

McBrearty was fully co-operative and made a 'gratuitous' admission regarding drug dealing.

Judge Aylmer said McBrearty, who has no previous convictions, appears to have 'completely turned his life around'.

McBrearty has been in full-time employment for two years and a positive reference was submitted by his employer.

The accused has 'weaned himself off his drug habit' and 'disassociated himself from negative peers', Judge Aylmer said.

The sentences for the money laundering charges were reduced to 12 months with the other charge reduced one of 16 months in prison.

Given what he said were 'extremely positive steps to turn his life around', Judge Aylmer ordered that McBrearty complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of 16 months behind bars.