*The man handed in €500,000 in bets.
A 23 year old man who turned over an estimated €500,000 in bets on his smart-phone arising from his ‘chronic gambling addiction’ is set to escape a conviction for a ‘money mule’ offence.
At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, Judge Alec Gabbett indicated to court that he would not impose a conviction on Marcus Ryan after commenting that the updated Probation Report presented to court on Mr Ryan “is very positive”.
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Ryan “is making great progress”.
Judge Gabbett made his comment after solicitor for Mr Ryan, Daragh Hassett said that his client intends to travel and asked that a conviction not be imposed.
Judge Gabbett said that based on the trajectory Mr Ryan is currently on “that would be the outcome”.
Previously Mr Hassett told the court that the background to his client’s ‘money-mule’ offence was Mr Ryan getting into debt arising from his “severe gambling addiction”.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Ryan “was gambling large sums. He estimates he turned over €500,000 in bets. At one stage, he was up €20,000, then down €20,000”.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Ryan’s “smart phone was turning over those figures. He was gambling on everything”.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Ryan owed money due to his ‘chronic gambling addiction” and “took the bait” when he received an anonymous Snapchat allowing another individual to use his bank account.
In the case, Mr Ryan of Lakelands, Cullenagh, Ballina, Co Tipperary has pleaded guilty that on February 23rd 2022 at AIB bank, Royal Parade, Killaloe that he did engage in possessing property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, €10,000 into the AIB bank account in his own name while being reckless as to whether or not the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
The charge is contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
Sgt John Jenks previously told the court that Mr Ryan provided his bank card and PIN number to an unknown male to allow the man transfer money into his account and it was then withdrawn in denominations in Dublin.
Sgt Jenks said that “the person involved has not been identified. He was observed on CCTV but was highly disguised”
Sgt Jenks said Mr Ryan met him by appointment in January 2023 at Killaloe Garda Station “and he made full admissions in relation to the bank account”.
Sgt Jenks said that Mr Ryan “comes from a good family and when he was approached he put his hands up and he was very co-operative”.
Sgt Jenks said that Mr Ryan “benefited to the tune of €900” and has no previous convictions.
Judge Gabbett said that “these cases always terrify me – just look at the title of the Act, the Money Laundering the Terrorist Financing Act”.
Mr Hassett said it is “a frightening case”.
He said, “Mr Ryan went to a very good school and had a great start in life. His parents sent him to Villiers secondary school in Limerick. He has struggled with ADHD and wouldn’t be unique there”.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Ryan found an outlet in sports and played inter-provincial hockey for Munster.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Ryan “has put a lot of work in his recovery” and now has an App on his phone that acts as a blocker to prevent him downloading online gambling account.
Judge Gabbett said that a gambling addiction “is the most difficult of all the addictions – it is a hidden one. If you are an alcoholic or a drug addict, inevitably it will show on the outside and eventually you will fall over”.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Ryan “is a very bright young man. He is disgusted and embarrassed to be here”.
Mr Hassett added that Mr Ryan is working “as a landscape gardener for a family member. He is committed to staying away from gambling”.
Mr Hassett said that his client doesn’t know where the money was laundered from or from whom.
Judge Gabbett said that he didn’t want to be too paternalistic about it but ordered that the case be adjourned for one year to March 2025 to allow continued monitoring in the case.
Judge Gabbett said that the case would be finalised in March 2025.
