Wife of Keane gang member spared jail for using crime funds in house renovation

Mr Justice Michael MacGrath said that to impose a custodial sentence on Vicky Hehir would be 'unduly harsh' on her children

Vicky Hehir pleaded guilty to laundering money by handing over €12,000 in cash to a builder to carry out works at a home in Limerick City. File picture: Paddy Cummins

A mother-of-three who used cash raised through the activities of the notorious Keane crime gang to renovate a house has been spared a prison sentence to allow her to take care of her children.

Vicky Hehir pleaded guilty to laundering money by handing over €12,000 in cash to a builder to carry out works at a home in Limerick City. The Special Criminal Court previously heard that she was not working at the time and had no legitimate source of income other than the children's allowance.