Ireland Man given suspended sentence over fraud on Trinity College hardship fund
About €461,275 (reported as more than €460,000) was defrauded from the Trinity College hardship fund in a scheme involving more than 200 transactions, and a Garda investigation into the scheme is continuing. Some €7,100 was transferred in four transactions between October 2020 and February 2021 into the AIB and Revolut accounts of Jonathan McMahon, a 27-year-old man of Dublin 13. McMahon was arrested by appointment and pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the proceeds of crime. In May 2024 Judge Codd imposed a one-year prison sentence suspended in full, with orders to pay €1,500 and €2,000 in compensation to the hardship fund within 12 months, the latest development in the case.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced9 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- About €461,275 (reported as more than €460,000) was defrauded from the Trinity College hardship fund in a scheme involving more than 200 transactions.
- When
- Some €7,100 was transferred in four transactions between October 2020 and February 2021.
- Where
- The €7,100 was transferred into McMahon's AIB and Revolut accounts.
- Other details
- Gardaí believe money from McMahon's AIB account was handed over to others.
- McMahon said he had spent the money, which he agreed was not his.
- It is unclear whether McMahon acted as a money mule, and there is no evidence he was under duress.
- The defence said McMahon has a mild intellectual disability, is easily led by others, and has no previous convictions.
- Jonathan McMahon is a 27-year-old man of Greenwood Walk, Blunden Drive, Dublin 13.
- Investigation
- A Garda investigation into the scheme is continuing, and gardaí did not believe McMahon's explanation.
- The investigating garda told the court there is no suggestion that McMahon personally applied to the hardship fund.
- Charges
- McMahon was arrested by appointment and pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the judge cited mitigation including the guilty plea and expressions of remorse.
- Sentence
- Judge Codd imposed a one-year prison sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions.
- McMahon was directed to hand over €1,500 and pay €2,000 in compensation to the hardship fund within 12 months, and he brought €1,500 to court.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMore than €460,000 was defrauded from the Trinity College hardship fund in a sophisticated scheme involving more than 200 transactions. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAbout €461,275 was defrauded from the fund. (irishtimes.com)
- whenSome €7,100 was transferred to McMahon's accounts in four transactions between October 2020 and February 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA Garda investigation is continuing into the scheme. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí did not believe McMahon's explanation. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcMahon entered a guilty plea to possession of the proceeds of crime. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge cited significant mitigation, including the guilty plea and expressions of remorse. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Codd imposed a one-year prison sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcMahon was directed to hand over €1,500 and pay €2,000 in compensation to the hardship fund within 12 months. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe investigating garda told the court there is no suggestion that McMahon personally applied to the hardship fund. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcMahon said he had spent the money, which he agreed was not his. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí believe the money from his AIB account was handed over to others. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIt is unclear if McMahon acted as a money mule, and there is no evidence he was under duress. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcMahon has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence said McMahon has a mild intellectual disability and is easily led by others. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcMahon brought €1,500 to court as compensation. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 9 May2024Man avoids jail for role in defrauding Trinity College hardship fund
Sentencing report: McMahon pleaded guilty to possession of proceeds of crime and received a one-year sentence suspended in full, with orders to pay €1,500 and €2,000 in compensation. The article says the wider fraud involved more than 200 transactions and a Garda investigation is continuing.
convicted, Jonathan McMahon, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jonathan McMahon