A former Letterkenny student will be sentenced this week after admitting to acting as a ‘money mule’.
Zainab Adetanwa Agoro, 23, previously pleaded guilty to multiple offences related to the case at Letterkenny District Court.
Facing a total of 84 counts involving over €35,000 of illicit funds, Agoro pleaded guilty to a selection of sample charges.
The court heard that Agoro, who was a student in Letterkenny in 2022, allowed housemates to access and use her AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Revolut accounts.
Agoro, formerly of Gort na Greine, Letterkenny, and currently residing in Portlaoise, had previously admitted guilt to a charge concerning €1,350.
Before Judge Roderick Maguire at Letterkenny Circuit Court, she further pleaded guilty to four charges involving sums of €350, €1,100, €350, and €1,700.
Agoro admitted to several charges of possessing property derived from criminal conduct, in violation of section 7.1 (a) and (b) and 7.3 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010.
These charges pertained to incidents in 2022, encompassing various sums across different accounts, with Agoro knowing or being reckless as to whether the property was proceeds of criminal activity.
State barrister Ms. Fiona Crawford BL confirmed that the guilty pleas were accepted based on a full facts understanding, allowing the court to consider the remaining charges.
The court was informed that some of the payments, totaling 24, were Social Welfare payments of €350 each. It was clarified that there was no indication Agoro requested these payments.
Sergeant Maurice Doyle of Letterkenny Garda Station testified that the investigation originated from another case.
During that investigation, an individual was arrested, and a phone and ATM card belonging to Agoro were seized from the phone cover of the other accused person.
The fraud department at Letterkenny Garda Station initiated a probe, obtaining court orders and data requests related to specific accounts.
Authorities discovered that €27,925 had been deposited into one bank account, with the majority subsequently transferred to other accounts or withdrawn. Another account showed €5,820 deposited and quickly moved or withdrawn.
A data request for a Revolut account revealed transactions totaling €1,700.
Agoro was apprehended in August 2022 and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station, where she was interviewed four times.
During questioning, Agoro confessed to granting a housemate control over her accounts and acknowledged her recklessness in providing her details.
The court learned that Agoro, an Irish citizen of Nigerian descent, has no prior convictions and has remained out of trouble since the events.
Sergeant Doyle verified that Agoro’s bank card was found in another person’s possession and that there was no evidence she personally profited from the activity.
Agoro’s barrister, Ms. Patricia McLaughlin SC, along with Mr. Timothy Morrow BL and solicitor Mr. Patsy Gallagher, questioned Sergeant Doyle on whether Agoro had been living with, and in contact with, “undesirable” individuals, which he confirmed.
Ms. McLaughlin emphasized that a third party controlled Agoro’s accounts, with funds rapidly moving in and out.
She also noted a potential duplication of charges, as theft offences were also alleged against Agoro.
While acknowledging the seriousness of money laundering, Ms. McLaughlin argued that degrees of participation exist, portraying Agoro as extremely naive and young. She explained that Agoro had connected with her housemates through their shared Nigerian heritage.
“She naively, foolishly, and recklessly allowed her bank accounts to be used,” Ms. McLaughlin stated.
The court heard that Agoro, previously studying pharmaceutical and medical science in Letterkenny, had dropped out without informing her family.
She was stressed by a landlord’s notice to vacate her accommodation. She stated that her new housemates used alcohol and drugs, but she did not participate.
Ms. McLaughlin described Agoro as feeling “uncomfortable and slightly intimidated” by these individuals. She pointed out that Agoro’s wages continued to be deposited into one of the accounts.
She argued that these cases are not uncommon in Letterkenny, where young people are exploited as money mules.
Agoro reportedly became “upset” during a probation officer interview, expressing concern about the impact of media and social media attention on her family.
Ms. McLaughlin noted that Agoro lost her job as a result of the case and is currently “in limbo.”
The barrister stated that Agoro is living with her mother in Portlaoise and is currently unemployed.
Ms. McLaughlin characterized Agoro as “naive and vulnerable” at the time, adding that she now aspires to become a mental health or dental nurse.
Although reckless, Ms. McLaughlin maintained that Agoro was unaware of the criminal activities of those using her account.
Agoro sobbed as Judge Maguire inquired about her well-being, to which she replied, “Okay.”
Judge Maguire is scheduled to deliver his judgment on July 18.
Former Letterkenny student to be sentenced for ‘money mule’ fraud was last modified: July 11th, 2025 by
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