Latest news with #TheftandFraudAct
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.
The Journal
28-06-2025
- The Journal
Man remanded in custody accused of sitting driving theory tests for other people
A MAN HAS been remanded in custody after being charged with conspiring to pose as driving theory test candidates in a learner permit fraud. It follows an investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, which opened in March 2021 and targeted fraudulently obtained driving permits. Andre Contagariu, 26, with an address at Castlecurragh Park, Dublin 15, was arrested shortly before 7am this morning. The married father of two was then charged with two offences. It is alleged that between 14 September 2018 and 29 June 2021, he conspired with one or more persons to do an act that constitutes serious offences. The first was the unlawful use of a computer within the State by undergoing driver theory tests on behalf of third parties to obtain driver theory test pass certificates. According to the second conspiracy charge, he allegedly carried out deceptions over the same period 'by unlawfully undergoing driver theory tests in the names of third parties to induce the issue of driver theory test pass certificates' to make a gain or cause a loss to another by deception. Advertisement He appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court today, where Detective Garda Barry McCormack gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. Judge Hughes heard the man 'made no reply' when charged. Due to the offence category, the High Court must decide if Mr Contagariu can be released on bail. Defence solicitor Sandra Frayne said her client, who did not address the proceedings, was seeking legal aid and had no income. The judge heard that Mr Contagariu was not getting social welfare and was supported by his family. Noting there was no Garda objection, he agreed to grant legal aid. Judge Hughes remanded the accused in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court for directions from the DPP on Thursday, 3 July. His trial venue was not stated; it has yet to be detailed whether the case will be dealt with at the District Court level or be sent to the Circuit Criminal Court, which has greater sentencing powers. The conspiracy allegations are under section 71 of the Theft and Fraud Act, which can, on conviction, carry a maximum 10-year sentence. A man and woman have already been jailed on connected charges.
Sunday World
28-06-2025
- Sunday World
Dad-of-two (26) to face trial over learner permit fraud 'conspiracy'
It is alleged that between September 14, 2018 and June 29, 2021, he conspired with one or more persons to do an act that constitutes serious offences. A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with conspiring to pose as driving theory test candidates in a learner permit fraud. It follows an investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, which opened in March 2021 and targeted fraudulently obtained driving permits. Andre Contagariu, 26, with an address at Castlecurragh Park, Dublin 15, was arrested shortly before 7 am on Saturday. The married father of two was then charged with two offences. It is alleged that between September 14, 2018 and June 29, 2021, he conspired with one or more persons to do an act that constitutes serious offences. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - June 28th The first was the unlawful use of a computer within the State by undergoing driver theory tests on behalf of third parties to obtain driver theory test pass certificates. According to the second conspiracy charge, he allegedly carried out deceptions over the same period "by unlawfully undergoing driver theory tests in the names of third parties to induce the issue of driver theory test pass certificates" to make a gain or cause a loss to another by deception. He appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court yesterday/today, where Detective Garda Barry McCormack gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. Judge Hughes heard the man "made no reply" when charged. Due to the offence category, the High Court must decide if Mr Contagariu can be released on bail. Defence solicitor Sandra Frayne said her client, who did not address the proceedings, was seeking legal aid and had no income. The judge heard that Mr Contagariu was not getting social welfare and was supported by his family. Noting there was no Garda objection, he agreed to grant legal aid. Judge Hughes remanded the accused in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court for directions from the DPP on Thursday. His trial venue was not stated; it has yet to be revealed whether the case will be dealt with at the District Court level or be sent to the Circuit Criminal Court, which has greater sentencing powers. The conspiracy allegations are under section 71 of the Theft and Fraud Act, which can, on conviction, carry a maximum 10-year sentence. A man and woman have already been jailed on connected charges. Alina Glont, 42, of Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11 and Daniel Stepien, 29, with an address at Annfield Court, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of conspiracy. On January 25, Stepien was handed a 32-month prison sentence, backdated to December 19, when he entered his guilty plea. Mother of two and chauffeur business owner, Glont received a two-and-a-half-year sentence.
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
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Sunday World
Scammer jailed for defrauding concert-goer out of half-a-week's wages in ticket ‘ruse'
Jason Whelan (35) was 'easily identifiable' by gardaí after the victim agreed to transfer the money into his Revolut account, a court heard A scammer who defrauded a concert-goer out of half-a-week's wages for tickets he never got in a 'premeditated ruse' has been jailed for six months. Jason Whelan (35) was 'easily identifiable' by gardaí after the victim agreed to transfer the money into his Revolut account, a court heard. Judge John Hughes suspended another three-month sentence on condition he pays compensation to the man, who said he no longer trusted people as easily, 'especially online'. Whelan, a father of three from Ferrycarrig Drive, Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to deception under the Theft and Fraud Act on November 23, 2021. The court heard the victim made a report to gardaí after he bought a ticket for a concert, transferring €250 by Revolut to an account. He never received the ticket and gardaí established the account was Whelan's. In a victim-impact statement, the man said the money he lost was half-a-week's wages and he did not have the benefit of going to the concert either. It also affected him psychologically, in that he no longer trusted people as easily as he had before. Whelan had been 'easily identifiable' when gardaí investigated the crime and he apologised, defence barrister Lydia Daly said. He committed the offence because he was trying to obtain money to feed his drug addiction. 'He's got a good work ethic, but he went down the wrong path,' Ms Daly said. He had started taking drugs at the age of 12 and his main issue had been cocaine. Whelan had ended up homeless as a result and had been staying in hostels, but was now drug-free and in 'a better place than he was at the time' of the offence. The accused had worked as an electrician, at a call centre and in catering, the court heard. Judge Hughes said Whelan had been employed since the incident, but 'hasn't got a penny in court' in compensation. 'It's had a significant effect on the victim who was scammed by Mr Whelan in a premeditated manner,' Judge Hughes said. 'It takes a certain amount of time and premeditation to come up with the ruse of a ticket scam. He took half-a-week's wages from his victim and he's come to court without any compensation.' He suspended three months of a nine-month sentence for two years on condition that Whelan pays €500 compensation by November 23 and has no contact with the victim.
