'An oasis in the desert': $18k stolen as visiting tag rugby member took photos in Limerick

AN AUSTRALIAN man had $18,000 dollars in his native currency stolen while socialising in Limerick city during an international tag rugby tournament, the circuit court heard.

The money was contained in a bag which the victim had left down on a footpath while taking photos in Limerick city. The $18,000 was to cover the costs of a team he was associated with in the competition.

Joseph McMahon, barrister for the accused, said his client’s circumstances were wretched at the time and likened the find to “a traveller coming across an oasis in the desert”.

Kenneth Mullane, aged 42, with an address at Mayorstone Park, Limerick city but who was homeless at the time, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property and two counts of money laundering.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Michael Brennan.

READ MORE: Limerick man pleads guilty to money laundering offence relating to home renovation

Mr O’Sullivan said at around 9.40pm on August 3, 2023, the victim was socialising in Denmark Street in Limerick city when he left a bag containing 18,000 Australian dollars on a footpath for the purpose of taking photos.

“The money was to cover the costs of a team he was associated with. The bag also contained his Australian passport. A man, who is not before the court, picked it up. Mr Mullane was in the general vicinity,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The barrister said gardai responded very promptly and informed financial institutions that a large amount of Australian dollars may be in circulation.

Gardai were contacted by AIB in Killarney on the following day that $2,100 was lodged in their branch and withdrawn in euros. Four days later, $2,200 was lodged in AIB O’Connell Street, Limerick and withdrawn in euros.

Mr O’Sullivan said AIB contacted gardai, CCTV was harvested and it showed Mr Mullane conducting the transactions.

Mr Mullane was arrested. During garda questioning he acknowledged changing the notes but said he did not pick up the bag.

Det Garda Brennan told the court that $4,300 of the $18,000 has been recovered.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Mullane has previous convictions for handling stolen property, burglary, theft and possession of knives.

Mr McMahon, who represented Mr Mullane, said his client’s circumstances were wretched at the time.

“He was homeless for a significant period. He said he was sleeping in the doorway of Penneys. He had been wearing the same clothes for over a week. His addiction spiralled in circumstances where his relationship ended.

"He turned to drugs to deal with his emotions, substances such as crack cocaine which is a debilitating substance and highly addictive,” said Mr McMahon.

READ MORE: GAA ticket scam in Limerick under investigation by gardaí

The barrister said Mr Mullane treated the money as a rather incredulous find. He said the person who took the bag asked Mr Mullane to change the money into euros as he was the only one with a bank account.

“He expresses remorse to the Australian gentleman and regret for being involved in this matter. I liken him coming across this money to a traveller finding an oasis in the desert but obviously that is of no comfort to the injured party or to the individuals that were with him in the tag rugby tournament,” said Mr McMahon.

Judge Colin Daly adjourned sentencing.