Man charged with defrauding credit union repays money

An accountancy graduate who was accused of defrauding a credit union of €4,800 avoided a conviction after repaying the money and being ordered to pay €5,000 to the court poor box.
Mr Ajibola Okukoya, aged 23, of Hazel Grove, Clonbalt Woods, Longford, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy in relation to an offence involving Inishowen Credit Union.
The court heard the matter related to an offence under the Money Laundering Act.
Defence solicitor Alex Rafter told the court that his client had brought €4,800 to court by way of compensation, the full amount he was accused of defrauding Inishowen Credit Union of.
Character references were handed in, along with a letter from the accused’s parents.
“The matter is quite complex,” said Mr Rafter. “I’m not saying he is a stranger in paradise and doesn’t know what’s going on,” he said, adding that his client had a qualification in accountancy.
“It’s a double-edged sword: he’s going to be an accountant; he’s studied this in Carlow and was educated on such matters. All I can say is he’s studied for four years and has put that all on the line and has only himself to blame.”
Mr Rafter said his client had made good the loss and had a positive probation report.
“We are asking for something quite unique, to have the ‘Sinnott judgement’ applied. There are compelling circumstances: he’s pleading guilty, he’s brought money to court, he has made good the loss, and has a positive probation report, character references, and the support of his family,” the solicitor explained.
“What I would say is that it would be a shame that his prospective career will be no longer because no-one will hire him if he has a conviction.”
Judge Carthy directed the accused to pay €4,800 to the injured party, with the addition of €5,000 to the court poor box by March 2026.
She said the section 1(1) of the Probation Act would be applied upon full payment, meaning that Mr Okukoya would avoid a conviction.
“This is the best I can do,” the judge said.

Funded by the Local Courts Reporting Scheme