Mexican businessman given three months to repay rest of €30k to 18 students he defrauded

Speaking outside the court the international students said they were 'extremely disappointed' that the matter was not finalised today

Raul Rodriguez Ramirez told gardaí instead of securing college places for the students, who came to Ireland to study, he used the money to invest in a restaurant business, which failed during the pandemic. Picture: Collins Courts

A Mexican businessman who pleaded guilty to defrauding 18 international students with their college fees, has been given three months to pay the remainder of the €30,000 he took from them.

Raul Ramirez Rodriquez 36, now living in Dublin, pleaded guilty to the offences last year. He told gardaí instead of securing college places for the students, who came to Ireland to study, he used the money to invest in a restaurant business, which failed during the pandemic.

He was due to be sentenced on Thursday, however, Judge Orla Crowe gave him extra time to repay the money. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mr Rodriquez has paid back €14,050 to the students, and that he had a further €1,000 with him.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, said they were expecting another €4,000 from their client on Thursday, in addition to the €1,000 but there was a “technical” issue which caused a delay in receiving the money. However, Mr Spencer said he hoped the €4,000 would be handed into the court by the end of the day.

Dressed in a black bomber jacket and white shirt, Mr Rodriguez did not speak during the short hearing. A number of the students who were defrauded were also in attendance in court 22.

When his legal team asked for extra time for their client to repay all of the money, Justice Crowe asked: “How much time?”. The court was told three months should be enough time for him to gather the rest of the money.

The prosecution said they were also in favour of delaying sentencing so that the balance could be paid. Justice Crowe said she would give Mr Rodriguez until June 27 to repay the remaining money.

“That matter will be finalised then,” she said, adding that the prosecution had “liberty to come back” in the meantime if there were any other issues.

Speaking outside the court the students said they were “extremely disappointed” that the matter was not finalised today.

Chisa Fukushima said the case has “hurt me emotionally” and that she lost trust in the system after she was defrauded of €1,650 in fees for an English course in Dublin. She added that there should be more safeguards in place for international students.