A Galway woman allegedly allowed her bank account to be used for the transfer of a €3,400 fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) claim.

Eve Ogbemudia, with an address at 203 Fearran Rí, Doughiska, appeared at Galway District Court charged with an offence contrary to section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.

That charge alleges that on dates between March 30, 2021 and July 13, 2021, at a location within the State she engaged in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, processing or using property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct — payments made to an account at AIB, Eyre Square, in the accused’s name.

Sergeant Claire Heneghan told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal of the case tin the district court.

Sgt Heneghan said that a data breach of the social welfare system in 2021 allowed people to make fraudulent claims for the PUP.

It would be alleged that the accused made her bank account available to ‘hackers’ and €3,400 passed through the account on the dates in question.

Sgt Heneghan said Eve Ogbemudia was told she would receive a payment but did not, and was not the ultimate beneficiary of the fraudulently obtained funds as they were moved on to other accounts.

Judge Fiona Lydon accepted jurisdiction to hear the case in the district court and directed that statements be provided to defence solicitor, Brian Gilmartin.

Barrister Garry McDonald BL, told the court his client was working but would be entitled to legal aid.

Judge Lydon granted the application and remanded the accused on bail to appear again on January 26, 2026.

■ Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.