Wednesday 28 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. 3467Theft, fraud, money laundering · Co. Meath · 1 Sep 2020

Meath couple sent for trial over €274k theft, fraud and pandemic funds laundering

Edward Wang, 57, and his wife Kit Lee, 50, of Co Meath, were charged with theft, fraud and money laundering over an alleged €274,000 taken from the State, including Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme funds, with the alleged offences running from September 2020 to November 2022. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau investigated, and the couple appeared at Dublin District Court on 24 March 2026, where the DPP authorised trial on indictment and no plea was entered. Judge Michele Finan granted a return-for-trial order sending them to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The case is next listed for mention there on 21 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Edward Wang and Kit Lee are accused of theft, fraud and money laundering related to €274,000 allegedly taken from the State and laundered through international accounts.
Where
The couple are listed as living at Drogheda, Co Meath in one report and at Colpe Crescent, Deepforde, Dublin Road, Co Meath in another.
When
The alleged offences run from 1 September 2020 to November 2022.
Investigation
The case was investigated by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.
Charges
  • Wang is accused of stealing €236,093 from the Revenue Commissioners between 1 September 2020 and 5 May 2021, and €38,250 from the Department of Social Protection between 20 March 2021 and 29 March 2022.
  • Wang faces deception charges for allegedly inducing the Department of Social Protection to issue PPS numbers under two false names, on 4 June 2020 and 7 August 2021.
  • Wang faces multiple charges of converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using allegedly stolen Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme funds in various bank accounts.
  • Lee is accused of attempting to commit an indictable offence at KBC Bank, 47 Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin, and of deception for allegedly inducing the Department of Social Protection to issue her husband a PPS number in a false name.
  • Lee faces a money laundering charge over allegedly stolen Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme funds of €3,108 on 10 January 2021.
  • Both are accused of possessing or transferring €38,350 and €6,260 in cash, suspected crime proceeds, at their home in November 2022; one report gives the €6,260 as £6,260.
In court
  • The couple appeared at Dublin District Court on 24 March 2026, where Garda Sergeant Brian Hawkins said they had no reply when charged.
  • The DPP authorised the couple to face trial on indictment, and no plea was entered.
  • Judge Michele Finan granted a return-for-trial order sending them to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case is listed for mention on 21 May 2026.
  • The couple were warned to notify the prosecution within 14 days if they intend to use alibis.
Other details
At the request of defence solicitor Conor McGreevy, the judge ordered gardaí to provide copies of interview videos.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe couple were sent for trial on indictment for theft, fraud and money laundering related to €274,000. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe couple appeared at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe case followed an investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe case was investigated by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeWang is accused of stealing €236,093 from the Revenue Commissioners between 1 September 2020 and 5 May 2021. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeWang is accused of stealing €38,250 from the Department of Social Protection between 20 March 2021 and 29 March 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeWang faces deception charges for inducing the DSP to issue PPS numbers under two false names. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeWang faces multiple charges of converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, allegedly stolen EWSF funds in various bank accounts. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBoth are accused of possessing or transferring €38,350 cash and €6,260 cash in suspected crime proceeds at his home in November 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLee is accused of attempting to commit an indictable offence at KBC Bank, 47 Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeLee is accused of deception by inducing the DSP to issue Wang a PPS number in a false name. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLee faces a money laundering charge on 10 January 2021 in connection with allegedly stolen EWSF funds to the value of €3,108. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA second theft charge alleges Wang stole €38,250 from the Department of Social Protection between 20 March 2021 and 29 March 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeWang faces deception charges for inducing the DSP to issue PPS numbers under two false names on 7 August 2021 and 4 June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeWang faces multiple charges of converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using stolen Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme Funds in various bank accounts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeWang and Lee are accused of possessing or transferring €38,350 and £6,260 in cash, suspected crime proceeds, at his home in November 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeLee is accused of deception by inducing the DSP to issue her husband a PPS number in a false name. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeLee has a money laundering charge on 10 January 2021 in connection with stolen EWS funds to the value of €3,108. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe couple appeared at Dublin District Court on 24 March 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe couple were sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, listed for mention on 21 May 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtNo pleas were entered by the couple. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP authorised that the couple face trial on indictment. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGarda Sergeant Brian Hawkins told the court the couple had no reply when charged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP authorised the couple to face trial on indictment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Michele Finan granted a return-for-trial order sending them to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtNo plea was entered and the couple were warned to notify the prosecution within 14 days if using alibis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge ordered gardaí to provide copies of interview videos at the defence's request. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme was an Irish government initiative to help businesses affected by Covid-19 retain staff. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Mar2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Meath couple face trial over €274k theft, fraud and pandemic funds laundering

    First report of the case: the couple appeared at Dublin District Court on 25 March 2026, entered no plea, and were sent for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with a mention date of 21 May 2026. The article details the specific charges against each defendant.

    accused, Edward Wang, 57, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Edward Wangaccused, Kit Lee, 50, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kit Lee
  2. 24 Mar2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Couple in court following alleged theft of €274k and laundering of pandemic wage subsidy

    First report of the case: couple sent for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after appearing at Dublin District Court; multiple charges including theft from Revenue and DSP, deception, and money laundering of EWSF funds.

    accused, Edward Wang, 57, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Edward Wangaccused, Kit Lee, 50, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kit Lee