Man (26) accused of €17,000 bank thefts and having personal data of victims

Tom Tuite

A man is to stand trial for theft valued at more than €17,000 from two bank accounts and possessing a memory storage device with personal information on money laundering victims in Dublin.

Joelle Mopiti (26), of Brookview Avenue, Tallaght, appeared at Dublin District Court on Tuesday following an investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).

He faces more than 30 charges, mainly for thefts from a man's and a woman's separate AIB accounts, stealing their bank cards, money laundering, and using a false instrument in 2020 and 2021.

It is also alleged that he used the man's cards to withdraw cash in varying sums, make purchases of goods in shops and a fast food restaurant, and spend €5,000 on iPhones in stores in Dublin.

It is alleged he took out a €3,500 loan in that injured party's name.

He is also accused of having €7,000 in proceeds of crime in a Bank of Ireland and an An Post account.

According to the charges, he stole €4,200 from the woman's account.

One charge alleges he aided, abetted, counselled or procured the commission of an offence by possessing a USB storage device which had the personal banking information of individuals who were victims of money laundering.

It is also alleged that at an address in Clonsilla, Dublin, he used a false instrument, a fake AIB document.

The charges are under the Theft and Fraud Act and the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

He appeared before Judge Cephas Power at Dublin District Court on Tuesday when Detective Garda Michael Harney said Mr Mopiti made no reply to the charges. The GNECB officer said the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.

No plea was entered by Mr Mopiti, who did not address the court.

There was no objection to bail with conditions; Judge Power ordered unemployed Mr Mopiti to sign on at his local Garda station three days a week, surrender his passport and not apply for other travel documents and to remain contactable on a phone number he has already supplied to gardaí.

Judge Power adjourned the case for prosecutors to prepare a book of evidence and ordered the accused to appear again on September 22nd. Legal aid was granted after the judge noted the man was on social welfare.