24-05-2025
Kildare woman (20) charged over alleged €16,000 mobile text scam fraud
Abbie Kinsella (20), of The Green, Earl's Court, Kill, Co Kildare, appeared before Tallaght District Court on Friday morning. The court heard that while she currently resides in Kildare, she was living in Dublin at the time of the alleged offence and was arrested and charged there.
Garda O'Connor told Judge Patricia McNamara that the alleged victim received a text message purporting to be from the Eir mobile network, warning that his phone service would be cancelled unless he paid an outstanding bill.
Believing the message to be genuine, the man provided his banking details - but later discovered that more than €16,400 had been withdrawn from his account.
Garda O'Connor stated that €4,900 was allegedly transferred into Ms Kinsella's Revolut account.
Ms Kinsella is charged with an offence under Section 7(1) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
Refusing jurisdiction, Judge McNamara said: 'I do not consider this to be of a minor nature to be dealt with summarily.'
She directed that a book of evidence be prepared and served within six weeks and sent the case forward to the Circuit Court.
Ms Kinsella was remanded on continuing bail and is due before Tallaght District Court again on June 26 at 10am.
