Latest news with #GNECB
Sunday World
01-07-2025
- Sunday World
Two men linked to Black Axe crime network facing multiple gangland and money laundering charges
It follows a major investigation by detectives from the the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) Two male suspects with alleged links to the Black Axe global crime network are due to face multiple money laundering and gangland charges later today. It follows a major investigation by detectives from the the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). The two men have been among the fraud squad's biggest targets as part of their massive Operation Skein investigation. The Irish Independent has learned the suspects are linked to a huge romance fraud scam where many hundreds of thousands of euro was stolen from an elderly woman in a European country. Investigations have also linked them to a lucrative romance fraud in another country. Neither suspect is expected to get bail when they appear before court later because of the nature of the criminal charges against them. The charges against the men means that so far up to 20 people have been charged with serious gangland style offences as part of Operation Skein and associated investigations. Black Axe has had a significant presence in Ireland for a number of years, but the GNECB has been involved in a large number of arrests and successful prosecutions against gang members and their associates in recent times. The mafia syndicate first emerged in Nigeria the 1970s when it was involved in ritual murders, but has evolved into one of the biggest fraud mobs operating across the world, often recruiting intelligent gang members such as computer specialists in universities. Many international police forces have visited Ireland to study the pro-active approach taken by gardaí in following the money trail. Called Operation Skein, it has led to over 100 arrests under organised crime legislation, while over 400 people have been arrested for money-laundering offences. In total well over 1,000 people have been identified so far with links to Black Axe and the organisation is estimated to have laundered over €84 million in Irish banks. At present, around 50 per cent of all international requests sent to the Gardai are linked to the area of fraud. Around 20 Black Axe operatives have been jailed in this country so far with many more before the courts and 50 senior gang members arrested. Dozens of money mules have mostly received suspended sentences after being convicted. Some of the Black Axe operatives working in Irish financial institutions who have been targeted by the GNECB in recent years include a man working in a bank who checked accounts for the criminal organisation and then sent screenshots of internal bank systems to a more senior criminal, who was involved in laundering huge sums through accounts in that bank. Garda stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st
Sunday World
30-06-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
Barman faces trial accused of possessing €1 million in crime proceeds
Kevin McMahon appeared at Dublin District Court today on 131 charges A barman has been sent forward for trial accused of deceiving multiple individuals in Ireland and possessing €1 million in crime proceeds from 2010 to 2013. Kevin McMahon, 51, with an address at Calle Vincente Inglada, Alicante, Spain, was served with a book of evidence when he appeared at Dublin District Court today on 131 charges. The case stems from a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) probe. Judge Patricia Cronin noted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed trial on indictment. Accordingly, she granted a return for trial order, telling Mr McMahon his case was being transferred to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where it will be scheduled for mention on October 10. Following an application by defence barrister Barry Lysaght with solicitor Michael French, she granted legal aid to include senior counsel representation. Kevin McMahon Mr McMahon, who has yet to enter a plea, was remanded on bail. He has 21 charges under Section 6 of the Theft and Fraud Act for the alleged deception of 18 people about their financial interests at an unknown location in the State. He also had 110 money laundering under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 for possessing, handling or acquiring sums ranging from €1,000 to €300,025 in several banks or financial institutions with accounts under different names. Kevin McMahon Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 30th GNECB Detective Ciaran Ronan said the DPP had issued the same trial venue authorisation for co-defendant Samuel Elwood, 49, with an address at Roundhill Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, who was charged with 11 counts of money laundering involving sums totalling just over €300,000. He did not reply to the allegations and was granted bail after the judge noted there was no garda objection. He received a trial order, and his case will be listed in the Circuit Court on the same date as Mr McMahon's appearance. The judge warned them to notify prosecutors within 14 days if they intended to use alibis in their defence. Prosecutors must also provide the defence with copies of interview videos.
BreakingNews.ie
30-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Barman (51) sent for trial over fraud and €1 million in crime proceeds
A barman has been sent forward for trial accused of deceiving multiple individuals in Ireland and possessing €1 million in crime proceeds from 2010 to 2013. Kevin McMahon, 51, with an address at Calle Vincente Inglada, Alicante, Spain, was served with a book of evidence when he appeared at Dublin District Court on Monday on 131 charges. Advertisement The case stems from a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) probe. Judge Patricia Cronin noted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed trial on indictment. Accordingly, she granted a return for trial order, telling Mr McMahon his case was being transferred to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where it will be scheduled for mention on October 10th. Following an application by defence barrister Barry Lysaght with solicitor Michael French, she granted legal aid to include senior counsel representation. Advertisement Mr McMahon, who has yet to enter a plea, was remanded on bail, He has 21 charges under Section 6 of the Theft and Fraud Act for the alleged deception of 18 people about their financial interests at an unknown location in the State. He also had 110 money laundering under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 for possessing, handling or acquiring sums ranging from €1,000 to €300,025 in several banks or financial institutions with accounts under different names. Ireland Man (25) jailed for six years after Kildare pub ma... Read More GNECB Detective Ciaran Ronan said the DPP had issued the same trial venue authorisation for co-defendant Samuel Elwood, 49, with an address at Roundhill Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, who was charged with 11 counts of money laundering involving sums totalling just over €300,000. He did not reply to the allegations and was granted bail after the judge noted there was no garda objection. He received a trial order, and his case will be listed in the Circuit Court on the same date as Mr McMahon's appearance. The judge warned them to notify prosecutors within 14 days if they intended to use alibis in their defence. Prosecutors must also provide the defence with copies of interview videos.
Sunday World
19-06-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
Barman arrested in Dublin accused of possessing €1mill in crime proceeds
GNECB Detective Ciaran Ronan told Judge Michele Finan that he arrested the accused this morning in Dublin A barman faces trial for deceiving multiple individuals in Ireland and possessing €1 million in crime proceeds following a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) probe. The funds were allegedly held from 2010 to 2013 in multiple bank accounts under various names. Kevin McMahon, 51, with an address at Calle Vincente Inglada, Alicante, Spain, faced 130 charges when he appeared at Dublin District Court today on 131 charges. There were 21 charges under Section 6 of the Theft and Fraud Act for deception of 18 people about their financial interests at an unknown location in the State. Kevin McMahon He also had 110 money laundering section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 for possessing, handling or acquiring sums ranging from €1,000 to €300,025 in several banks or financial institutions with accounts under different names. GNECB Detective Ciaran Ronan told Judge Michele Finan that he arrested the accused this morning in Dublin after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) authorised charging him. The DPP has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court and that Mr McMahon could be sent forward for sentencing on a signed plea should that arise. Judge Finan raised the issue of providing disclosure to the defence. Solicitor Michael French told the court that prosecutors must prepare a book of evidence for his client. It must be served before granting a trial order. Judge Finan also noted that a co-accused was expected to come before the court on June 30, and she adjourned Mr McMahon's case to that date. Mr McMahon remained silent during the hearing but was granted legal aid. There was no objection to bail, but the judge warned that he must get court approval to change his address. Kevin McMahon News in 90 Seconds - June 19th
RTÉ News
10-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Activists seeking review as AirBnB complaint dropped
A group of pro-Palestinian activists are seeking a judicial review against a decision by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) not to proceed with a complaint filed against AirBnB in August 2023. The High Court challenge is part of a wider strategic action launched today, where five separate international legal challenges were launched against AirBnB over its alleged rental lettings in occupied Palestinian territory. The action is led by Sadaka, the Ireland Palestine Alliance, and the Global Legal Action Network, who say AirBnB has over 300 rental properties in the occupied West Bank. In Ireland, they are seeking a judicial review of the GNECB's decision not to launch an investigation into AirBnB Ireland in August 2023. It alleged that AirBnB Ireland is in breach of Irish money laundering laws by profiting from lettings in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. The groups said the GNECB declined to open an investigation, stating that the complaint did not disclose an offence within the jurisdiction of Ireland. AirBnb denies money-laundering accusations, stating that it operates in compliance "with applicable Irish and US laws". A spokesperson for the company added that since 2019, it has "donated all profits generated from host activity in the West Bank to an international nonprofit". Speaking about the case, Independent Senator Frances Black said similar cases could be taken against other companies, unless the Government includes a ban on services with occupied territories in the Occupied Territories Bill. She said: "My concern is that services will not be included in the Government's Bill so today is hugely significant because it really talks about why this is important. "The cases are hugely important not only because they seek to put to an end a wrong in the immediate sense, but they also highlight exactly what we mean when we say that services must be included in the Occupied Territories Bill when Government finally bring their version to the Dáil." She added: "This case is hugely important, but AirBnB is just one company and there are many others. "We need Government to step up and take responsibility, pass full, proper and complete legislation that bans all trade with the illegal settlements in both goods and services for every company so cases like this are not necessary."
