Man whose wife stole €800k from Virgin Media jailed for money laundering

John Murray (43) of Kilfenora Rd in Kimmage, pleaded responsible to a few pattern counts, representing ten expenses of possessing the proceeds of crime, on dates between January 2009 and July 2019.

He was sentenced to 2 years in jail after Dublin Circuit Felony Court docket heard that his spouse transferred a complete of €872,470 to his Financial institution of Eire account over the ten-year interval.

The courtroom heard that Murray’s spouse, Kellie Walton (42), had been employed as payroll administrator for the corporate previously often called TV3, aside from two durations when she took maternity go away.

Over the last decade, Walton transferred a median of €80,000 a 12 months to her husband’s account, most of which was spent on overseas holidays, premium TV channels and cellphone subscriptions.

Passing sentence right this moment Choose Martin Nolan mentioned Murray ought to have identified at a really early stage that his spouse was stealing and that it was “very reckless” of him to have let it proceed.

He famous that the couple, who’ve 4 kids, had squandered all of the monies.

When counsel for the defence commented that there was a “tragic high quality” to the truth that the couple had been left with nothing, Choose Nolan advised that it was maybe extra “tragicomic”.

Choose Nolan mentioned Murray has no report of conviction, an excellent work historical past and a formidable array of references on his behalf.

He sentenced him to 2 years in jail.

The courtroom heard that Walton was sentenced in January 2023 to 4 years in jail, with the ultimate two years suspended.

She has already been launched and is working part-time in a barbershop, the courtroom heard.

Garda David Jennings informed Kieran Kelly BL, prosecuting, that Murray initially denied the costs and was on account of begin trial final month, however pleaded responsible on the day of his trial.

Gda Jennings mentioned Walton’s wage as payroll administrator for Virgin Media was “in or round €30,000 a 12 months”.

“She copped a glitch within the system and was in a position to exploit it,” mentioned Gda Jennings.

The courtroom heard that Virgin Media had three separate payroll methods for workers, informal employees and UK work.

Gda Jennings mentioned Walton invented particulars of somebody who was owed cash by the corporate after which often transferred cash into her husband’s Financial institution of Eire account, making the funds look real.

The offending got here to gentle after an worker in Virgin Media’s head workplace observed unauthorised funds.

The courtroom heard that almost all of the cash was spent on overseas holidays and subscriptions to channels together with Sky Sports activities.

Murray was arrested and acknowledged in a garda interview that the Financial institution of Eire account was his.

The courtroom heard that €18,000 of the cash was transferred to the checking account of a relative who was utterly harmless and unaware that the cash was the proceeds of crime.

This cash has been frozen and might be returned to Virgin Media, together with an additional €12,473 remaining in John Murray’s account.

Virgin Media stays at a “substantial loss”, Choose Nolan mentioned.

Gda Jennings agreed with Dean Kelly SC, defending, that the cash had been “squandered” because it was coming in, totally on gross sales transactions.

The courtroom heard that some months, Murray’s checking account was overdrawn by a few hundred euro.

Gda Jennings additionally agreed that the scheme was Walton’s “brainchild” and that it wasn’t executed or organised by Murray.

Mr Kelly mentioned Murray has been working persistently since he left faculty on the age of 15, together with in automotive valeting, Rentokil and most not too long ago at a rent firm the place he has labored for the final 5 years.

The courtroom heard that Murray’s employer, who’s conscious of the costs, wrote a prolonged letter to courtroom explaining that Murray is in a trusted monetary place throughout the firm, that he’s a keyholder and handles money.

Two medical reviews have been additionally handed into courtroom, exhibiting that Murray has been recognized with heart problems for which he has been hospitalised. He’s additionally on anti-depressants after struggling a depressive breakdown, the courtroom heard.

Letters have been additionally submitted from Murray’s son, sister and mom, urging clemency.

Mr Kelly mentioned Murray’s culpability was “of a lesser order” than that of his spouse, who had dedicated a critical breach of belief in opposition to her firm.

“He recognised a rise in his household fortunes, however he turned his face away in regards to the mechanisms behind it,” mentioned Mr Kelly, who claimed that there have been no aggravating components within the case in opposition to Murray.

Mr Kelly mentioned his consumer’s household at the moment are residing in “lowered circumstances” in a rented condo.

Choose Nolan mentioned Murray was unlikely to reoffend and was presently working and contributing to society, however he added: “No one can launder this amount of cash and never go to jail.”