Minister raises concerns with Garda Commissioner about pupils being used as money mules

Norma Foley has warned that young and vulnerable students are being "targeted" and "duped" by criminal gangs with the promise of "easy money". Photo: Moya Nolan

Education Minister Norma Foley has written to the Garda Commissioner to raise concerns about secondary school students who are being used as money mules by criminals.

Ms Foley has warned that young and vulnerable students are being "targeted" and "duped" by criminal gangs with the promise of "easy money". She has now asked that gardaí be sent into schools across the country to make students aware of the dangers of becoming a money mule and the consequences.

It comes as a major Kerry investigation into money mules recently uncovered a €1.3m money-laundering ring involving more than 60 students.

In a letter sent to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris this week, Ms Foley said young people are vulnerable to being recruited.

"As Minister for Education, I was concerned to learn that some of these money mules are students in secondary schools. It is clear that criminal gangs are targeting students with the promise of easy money in return for the use of their bank accounts.

"Many young people may not be aware that they are being dragged into money-laundering."

She said schools already have a very strong relationship with community gardaí who regularly provide briefings to students on issues such as road safety and said this should be expanded to include education on money mules.

"I would like to reduce as much as possible the risk of young people being duped into become money mules by these criminal gangs," Ms Foley wrote. 

This could have a devastating impact on their lives, including employment and travel prospects if it were to lead to a criminal conviction.

In November, Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic warned that children as young as 14 are being recruited as money mules, mainly through social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat.

“It carries a potential prison sentence of 14 years. But other than that, your home will be searched by the guards. You’ll be arrested, you’ll be photographed, you’ll be fingerprinted, you’ll have your DNA taken," he said.

“If you’re charged and prosecuted, you may have to appear in court, it may be reported on, you may have your picture in the paper. Your bank account will be closed, other banks won’t entertain new applications. You’ll potentially be placed on a terrorism watchlist.”