Kildare man in court after '€400,000 taken from Post Office accounts'

A man has appeared in court after €400,000 was taken when An Post accounts were “compromised.”

Before Naas District Court was Karel Lakatos, 53, whose address was given as 4 The Hollands, Athy, on an allegation of a breach of  the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act between January 6, 2024 and January 9, 2024. It is being  alleged the defendant attempted to launder €6,200 which was the property of two other people.

Detective Garda Aisling O’Mahony said it will be alleged that this was one of 28 incidents relating to An Post Accounts and the total amount involved was €400,000.

The court also heard that all of the affected customers were reimbursed.

The garda said it will be claimed the defendant was found to be the beneficial account holder and the case revolved around a nationwide operation by gardaí.

READ NEXT BREAKING: Well known Kildare business to close after 60 years

Judge Desmond Zaidan adjourned the matter to May 21 and requested that a Slovakian translator be present on that date.

The court was told that there was no objection to bail provided the defendant surrenders his passport and signs on at Athy garda station one day a week.