Sharp rise in people allowing their bank accounts to be used by criminals

There has been a dramatic rise in the number of  people who allow their own bank account to be used by criminals.

At Naas District Court, Judge Desmond Zaidan asked how people could be so stupid as to provide their account details.

Nevertheless, he said, it is clear that there are more and more cases coming before the courts in Kildare.

And these offences are replacing armed robberies.

“This is becoming as common as people being found drunk over the weekend,” he said.

He stated noone is going into bank buildings with balaclavas to commit robberies or committing cash in transit robberies - instead it is being done at the touch of a finger on a device.

He said serious criminals are involved in this -  but  it’s only the small individual foot soldiers that are caught.

“This money is going to the criminal underworld and it doesn’t matter whether it’s Irish criminals or  criminals based abroad. This is the new armed robbery without the word ‘armed,” he said.

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He added: “This is not a once off, this is very common and it’s becoming second nature.”

He was dealing with a young man who allowed €2,400 to go through his account and the Permanent TSB financial institution was at the loss of the money.

The case was adjourned for the man to come up with €7,000 -  with €2,400 of this going to to the bank and the rest to be distributed to voluntary or charitable organisations.

The judge said this is an example of restorative justice and he is duty bound to take each case on its merits.