Woman was selling significant amounts of fake Gucci, Moncler and more from her Waterford home
Suspicions first arose when the Financial Intelligence Unit noticed unusual bank and Credit Union activity from the woman's accounts.
A 40-year-old woman has been sentenced at Waterford Circuit Court for selling counterfeit goods out of her home in Dungarvan.
Aisling Cleary, of 82 Childers Estate, Dungarvan, was buying counterfeit Gucci, Moncler, Ugg and Sketchers items from Turkey and selling them in the locality.
Suspicions first arose when the Financial Intelligence Unit noticed unusual bank and Credit Union activity from the accounts of Ms. Cleary.
On June 16, 2022, Gardaí arrived at her residence to execute a search warrant. The court heard that Ms. Cleary was "shocked" when gardaí arrived because she “didn’t fully understand the severity” of her crime.
Her premises was searched, uncovering a large quantity of counterfeit goods in the garden shed. Clothing, footwear, sunglasses and small tech items were found. Some of the items were packaged and ready for postage.
Ms. Cleary made admissions to ownership and was arrested. She pleaded guilty to four counts of fraudulent application or use of a trademark in relation to goods (Trademarks Act, 1996). She has no previous convictions.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly said that Ms. Cleary’s crime is not victimless. He said that she caused significant damage to bona fide businesses, legitimate shops and the people who purchased her counterfeit goods.
He fined Ms. Cleary €8,000.
If she had any previous convictions she would have gone to jail, Judge O’Kelly said.
