Athlone woman given one-year jail term for money-laundering

An unemployed mother of two who had €22,000 worth of luxury items and laundered more than €100,000 worth of suspected drug money through her accounts has been given a one-year prison sentence, which will commence on January 5.

Kathleen Reilly (28), with an address at Ardilaun, Athlone, Co Westmeath, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Mullingar Circuit Court, where she was sentenced for her involvement in an elaborate money-laundering scheme on dates between 2019 and 2023, involving four members of her husband’s family.

Christopher Joyce (51), Julie Joyce (50), William Joyce (27) and David Patrick Joyce (28), all with addresses in Ardilaun, Athlone, were sentenced for their involvement earlier in the sittings.

Ms Reilly, who has no previous convictions and was deemed suitable for community service by the probation office, was the last to be sentenced but, because she has two young children, was given the Christmas period to get her affairs in order before commencing her one-year sentence.

Judge Connolly noted that a total of €101,485 had gone through her accounts and said that she must have known that it was the proceeds of crime from her husband’s drug dealing.

He also noted that the unemployed mother, who was in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, had €22,245 worth of luxury goods, despite her lack of income.

Judge Connolly set a headline sentence of four years, which he mitigated to three years, suspending the final two years and giving her time to make arrangements for the care of her children.

On January 5, 2026, no later than 12 noon, she is to present herself at Mountjoy Woman’s Prison to commence that one-year incarceration.

Earlier in the sittings, her husband, William, was imprisoned for three years and four months, for money-laundering and drug-dealing offences. Christopher Joyce was given a sentence of three years and two months for similar charges, while David Patrick Joyce was jailed for three years and six months, also for similar charges.

Julie Joyce was given a three-year sentence, which was fully suspended for five years, for using the proceeds of crime to fund the family’s lifestyle.

Funded by the Local Courts Reporting Scheme