Money laundering case to return before Longford Circuit Court next year

Gerry Idomelle (32) and Giedre Ginkute (35) both of The Backs, Chapel Lane, Edgeworthstown were charged in connection with their involvement in a money laundering scheme.

The court was told the offence before the court is an invoice re-direct fraud. In this fraud criminals send emails to businesses purporting to be one of their legitimate suppliers.

The emails contain an instruction to change the bank account details that the business has for a legitimate supplier, to bank account details that ultimately benefit the criminals.

When the legitimate supplier next sends an invoice to the company seeking payment for services rendered or goods supplied, the victim's business acts on the new banking instructions and sends the payment to the bank account under the criminal’s control. The funds are then quickly transferred or withdrawn.

The victim in this case was a Zurich holdings company. AIB Longford contacted Gardai regarding a suspected fraudulent transaction relating to a €22,600 lodgement and withdrawal.

A review of the CCTV showed Ms Ginkute withdrawing the money from the account. When interviewed about the matter Mr Idomelle was described as “forthright”. The defendant maintained that the money was sent on to a third party referred to as Bobby B.

Mr Idomelle said his cut was €1,200, but expressed the belief it was a legitimate transaction. He said his partner, Ms Ginkute, sent it via moneygram from an internet cafe.

Garda Clive Glancy told the court Mr Idomelle had two previous convictions, including a conviction from 2021 for money laundering. Counsel for the defendant, Gerard Groarke BL, pointed out that his client has not come to the attention of Gardai since.

Mr Groarke explained that his client was approached by a friend who was starting a business. Counsel said a screenshot of a test conversation was made available to support this. Mr Idomelle's uncle had put him in touch with Bobby B.

Garda Glancy said they were never able to establish who Bobby B was. The officer agreed with counsel for Ms Ginkute, Andrea Callen BL, that the defendant received no direct benefit from the transactions, even though her account facilitated the withdrawal and she physically made the withdrawals.

Ms Callen said the mother of two girls works as a diagnostic technician and is undertaking a course in management in Athlone. Counsel suggested that both accused are “on the lower rung”.

In his summation Judge Keenan Johnson said this type of offence “is very prevalent”.

“Every year there is €64m defrauded in Ireland in this type of offence. It's a huge industry. The people behind the frauds are masters of manipulation of vulnerable individuals. They are like lambs to the slaughter.”

The judge noted that both Mr Idomelle and Ms Ginkute were not the main beneficiary and accepted that they had a “low risk of re-offending”.

The judge said he would adjourn both matters. In the case of Ms Ginkute he adjourned the matter to January 10 to facilitate a Probation Service assessment to ascertain if the defendant was a suitable candidate for 240 hours of community service. With regard to Mr Idomelle, who was described as “more culpable”, Judge Johnson said he “has to pay his debts”.

The judge adjourned the matter to October 3 next year at which point he will consider imposing 240 hours of community service in lieu of a three year custodial sentence.