Student sent forward for trial on €190k money laundering charges

A Mullingar based student has been sent forward to stand trial accused of laundering almost €190,000 through a number of bank and financial accounts over two and a half years.

Tumelo Tlou (24) of 12 Ardleigh Park, Mullingar, Westmeath, is charged with possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct, totalling more than €188,000 between September 2022 and April 2025.

Mr Tlou first came before Mullingar District Court at the end of March to face where details of the four money laundering charges. The first of those concerned the alleged laundering of €36,085 through a Bank of Ireland account on dates between September 16, 2022 and March 7, 2025.

Mr Tlou was further accused of possessing €140,066 which was lodged to a Transfer Wise account, a money, payments and banking platform, on dates between November 23, 2022 and March 23, 2025.

A sum of €10,785 was also allegedly lodged to a North Midlands Credit Union account belonging to Mr Tlou in Mullingar, on dates between January 29, 2024 and February 21, 2025.

The final charge alleges Mr Tlou was found with cash totalling €1,240 at his home on April 17, 2025 and, which like the three accompanying charges, was deemed to be the alleged “proceeds of criminal conduct”.

All four counts were taken under section 7 (1) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, charges which can carry a maximum tariff of up to 14 years in prison.

Mr Tlou was remanded on bail ahead of a scheduled reappearance before Judge Vincent Deane on Thursday, when a book of evidence was served on the accused.

Sgt Sheila Kenny applied for Mr Tlou to be sent forward to the next sittings of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court in July following directions from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Judge Deane approved that application and gave Mr Tlou the alibi warning before sending him forward on his current district court bail terms.

They included orders for Mr Tlou to notify gardaí within 72 hours of any intended change of address, to sign on each Saturday at Mullingar Garda Station and to desist from applying for any other travel documents in light of the, as he has surrendered his passport.

Mr Tlou’s defence barrister applied for legal aid to extend to covering the cost of two counsel in view of the alleged sums involved – an application Judge Deane declined.

Mr Tlou was remanded on continuing bail to Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on July 2.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme