Man on €30k laundering charges avoids prison

A 'witless' Letterkenny man on 12 money laundering charges has avoided going to prison.

The sums involved in the case of Gary Mirrin totalled €30,914.59.

Mirren, now aged 25 and with an address at Leck Cottages, allowed his bank details and card be used by a third party.

Mirren was before Letterkenny Circuit Court, where he faced 12 counts of laundering money and was given 240 hours of community service in lieu of 12 months behind bars.

Eleven of the charges related to various sums, totalling €30,914.59, that were lodged to Mirren's AIB account in June, 2019.

There was a further charge relating to the transfer of €10,780 from Mirren's account to the account of another person.

Detective Garda Peter Cullen told Ms Patricia McLaughlin BL, prosecuting, that AIB were made aware of fraudulent activity by the remitting bank in Finland.

When AIB attempted to recover the funds, they were already withdrawn.

Gardai called to Mirren's address on January 4, 2021.

He wasn't present, but later voluntarily presented himself, in the company of a youth worker, to Letterkenny Garda Station.

Mirren made full admissions to Gardai.

He told officers that a third party, who he knew from school, asked him if he wanted to earn 'a couple of hundred euro'.

Mirren accepted the offer and told Gardai that he believed it would involved 'off-books work'.

When Mirren checked his phone at am and realised that €30,000 was deposited into his account, he said that he was 'frightened'.

Mirren called the third party and queried the large sum, but was told to 'relax, put your head down and sleep'.

Mirren and the other person took a bus to Dublin to meet with another male. A hotel in Dublin was booked for their stay.

Mirren told Gardai in interview that he went to the pub and when he arrived back, his friend was 'angry as he thought that I may jeopardise the whole thing'.

Detective Garda Cullen outlined that Mirren went to AIB to withdraw the funds and was told he would get €3,500. He and his friend met the other male again and was assured not to worry.

Mirren, who had no previous convictions, told Gardai that he felt he was an 'easy target'.

Barrister for Mirren, Ms Fiona Crawford BL, said her client was 'reckless'. At the time before the money hit Mirren's account, he was overdrawn by €600, the court heard..

“He got in too deep with people he shouldn't have got involved with,” Ms Crawford said.

“He was involved with drugs and alcohol at an early age. He found himself in a matter where he allowed his bank details and ATM card be used by other individuals.”

The court heard that Mirren became involved in 'party culture' and that he was seeking assistance for cannabis abuse.

Ms Crawford said Mirren is now working as a bar supervisor and is in charge of the till. Before Christmas, he also worked for a large supermarket chain.

“He appreciates the severity of the matter and any hopes of him working in America have now come to an end,” Ms Crawford said, adding that Mirrin has been in a 'solid' relationship for the last three years.

“He got involved through his own stupidity and now admits what he did.”

In a report, the Probation Service placed Mirren at a low risk of reoffending and said further intervention was not deemed as necessary.

Judge John Aylmer said the matter was a 'serious offence involving a significant amount of money'.

Judge Aylmer said 18 months imprisonment was the starting point for sentencing.

“It was a case of reckless offending,” Judge Aylmer said. “He was going into the transactions for gain, albeit he never envisaged the amount of gain.”

Judge Aylmer said Mirren should be credited for making fulsome admissions and being fully co-operative. Mirren, he said, was 'appropriately remorseful'.

“He does appear as a witless young man who was taken advantage of by serious criminals,” Judge Aylmer said. “He will suffer onerous consequences as a result of the conviction.”

In lieu of a reduced 12-month prison sentence, Mirren was ordered to complete 240 hours of community service. Judge Aylmer allowed 18 months for the completion of those hours.