Money launderer with connections to 'Scourge of Sligo' has jail term halved on appeal

A 27-year-old Galway man with alleged connections to organised crime boss Barry Young has had his sentence for money laundering reduced on appeal. At the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath found that the original five-year sentence imposed by Galway Circuit Court was disproportionate and resentenced Brian Cummins, of Balgaddy Road, Tuam, to two and a half years imprisonment. Cummins had pleaded guilty to money laundering contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. The case arose from a garda investigation into organised crime during which a mobile phone belonging to Young was analysed. Messages between Cummins and Young, identified as "Tuam" in communications, revealed a €1,000 electronic funds transfer believed linked to criminal damage. Mr Justice MacGrath found the original headline sentence of seven years erroneous, noting the modest sum involved and Cummins's guilty plea, age, and background warranted a lower sentence.