Youth allegedly let man use bank account for money laundering ‘to make some extra money’
A LUCAN youth allegedly let a man use his bank account for money laundering after being contacted on social media, a court heard.
It was alleged more than €31,000 was moved through 19-year-old Andreas Clemenger’s bank account after he was approached and asked “did he want to make some extra money”.
Blanchardstown District Court
Judge Gerard Jones accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case at Blanchardstown District Court and remanded the accused on continuing bail in his absence.
The accused, with an address at Abbeydale Gardens, The Oaks, Lucan, is charged with concealing the movement of the proceeds of crime.
The money laundering offence is alleged to have taken place at AIB, Main Street, Lucan on January 22, 2020. Sergeant Maria Callaghan said the DPP consented to the case being dealt with in the district court subject to jurisdiction being considered.
Outlining the prosecution’s case, she said it was alleged that in mid-January, 2020 the accused was contacted on social media by a man who asked him “did he want to make some extra money”.
According to the gardai, Mr Clemenger then met the man in a housing estate and the accused agreed to hand over his bank card. Subsequently, €31,496 was credited to his account before being transferred to banks outside the jurisdiction over the course of six days, it was alleged.
Sgt Callaghan said Mr Clemenger met the unknown man at Ballyowen Castle Shopping Centre and got €200 to let him use his account to transfer money.
Ciaran MacLoughlin BL, defending, said his client was allegedly “a mule” and at “the bottom of the food chain”.
Judge Jones said he would accept jurisdiction after hearing the summary of the allegations. He remanded the accused on continuing bail to May 20 to “make up his mind” on how he intends to plead to the charge.
