Suspended jail term for student who allowed fraudsters use his bank account to scam Mayo woman

A WATERFORD man needed money for Rag Week when he allowed his bank account to be used by fraudsters who targeted a Mayo woman.

Pierce McCarthy, aged 22, of John’s Lane, Waterford, appeared before a sitting of Ballina District Court.

On February 14, 2022, it was reported to gardaí that a Kiltimagh woman had been scammed out of €5,600.

On February 2, 2022, the woman was contacted by a person claiming to be from Amazon Prime.

They requested her to download an app. She did so but deleted it when she became suspicious.

She was later contacted by PTSB who informed the woman that €5,600 had been removed from her bank account. The lady was refunded by the bank.

The court heard that investigations linked the transfer of the money to a Revolut account held by the accused.

It is alleged that he allowed this account to be used by other parties.

McCarthy had been approached by a classmate at Waterford IT who offered him €200 for the use of the account.

The court was told that Rag Week was approaching and he needed the cash.

The case came before the court for finalisation last week. Solicitor Mr. Gary Mulchrone, representing McCarthy, said his client “went off the rails from 18 to 20.”

McCarthy has a previous drugs conviction.

Mr. Mulchrone said the man now works as a car salesman and is in a stable relationship.

The solicitor said McCarthy no longer uses Revolut and has been saving up money to repay the bank. He had €2,000 available in court.

Judge Vincent Deane imposed an eight-month suspended prison sentence and ordered McCarthy to pay €2,000 to the bank through his solicitor.

“You need to get back on the straight and narrow. I’m giving you a chance,” Judge Deane concluded.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.