Waterford money mule has case struck out after donation to the court poor box
Mr Kilonda's case was heard in July when the judge said that if he made the donation the charge would be struck out. Stock Image.
A man who was before Waterford District Court on a money muling charge has had his case struck out.
Twenty-three-year-old Raveli Kilonda of Magenta Mews, Grange Manor pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, on July 5, 2023 at a sitting before Judge John Cheatle in July this year.
At that sitting, Judge Cheatle ordered the defendant to pay €300 to the court poor box and said that if he did so by October, the case would be struck out.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham told the court this week that the payment had been made and the court confirmed the receipt was on file.
Judge Kevin Staunton struck out the matter.
The court was told in July that €3,122 was taken from the injured party’s bank account and transferred to Mr Kilonda’s Revolut account.
Mr Cunningham told the court that his client had provided his account details to an unknown individual who used them to “wash money.” His client was unaware of what would happen when he gave his details, and this was a very common situation that regularly comes before the court.
But the defendant was easily identified as he provided photographic ID, his PPS number and a utility bill to open the account.
Mr Cunningham said he was a full-time student at the time.
The injured party was reimbursed, and the defendant had no previous convictions.
