Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6588Handling the proceeds of criminal conduct · Co. Dublin · 8 Dec 2020

Man given suspended sentence over bank account used in €177,000 phishing fraud

Between 8 and 18 December 2020, an Irish couple buying a home in Athboy, Co Meath, had €177,000 stolen in a phishing scam after a solicitor's email account was hacked through a phishing link. Mark Farley (42), of Belgard Road, Tallaght, allowed his bank account to be used in the fraud, and he was arrested the following February. Farley pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling the proceeds of criminal conduct. On 7 February 2024 he was given a fully suspended three-year sentence, with the judge finding he had been reckless but had a low level of culpability.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • An Irish couple buying a home in Athboy, Co Meath, had €177,000 stolen in a phishing scam.
  • Mark Farley allowed his bank account to be used in the fraud.
Where
  • The couple were buying the Co Meath home to retire to from Belgium.
  • Farley lives on Belgard Road, Tallaght.
When
The offences took place on dates between 8 and 18 December 2020.
Cause
The solicitor's email account was hacked through a phishing link.
Investigation
  • Farley was arrested the following February.
  • Farley's bank account was frozen and the couple got all their funds back within 16 days.
Charges
Farley pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling the proceeds of criminal conduct.
In court
  • Judge Martin Nolan said Farley had been reckless in allowing the situation to occur.
  • The judge accepted that Farley had a low level of culpability and said third parties had taken advantage of his debts.
Sentence
On 7 February 2024 Farley was given a fully suspended three-year sentence.
Other details
Farley is 42 and has 16 previous convictions, including for traffic offences, public order and criminal damage.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMark Farley allowed his bank account to be used in the fraud. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAn Irish couple had €177,000 stolen in a phishing scam. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFarley lives on Belgard Road, Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe couple were buying a house in Athboy, Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences took place between 8 and 18 December 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe solicitor's email account was hacked through a phishing link. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationFarley was arrested the following February. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationFarley's bank account was frozen and the couple got all their funds back within 16 days. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFarley pleaded guilty to handling the proceeds of criminal conduct. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said Farley had been reckless in allowing the situation to occur. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge accepted that Farley had a low level of culpability. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceFarley was given a fully suspended sentence of three years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFarley has 16 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Feb2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Suspended sentence for man whose bank account used to defraud couple of €177,000

    Sentencing report: fully suspended three-year sentence, 16 previous convictions, judge found Farley reckless with low culpability.

    convicted, Mark Farley, 42, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Farleyvictim, Irish, irish