DUBLIN, Ireland: A man who opened 18 different bank accounts in Ireland and helped launder more than 431,000 euros has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Ovidiu Rizoiu, 35, was brought from the Netherlands to Ireland under a European arrest warrant. He admitted to five counts of money laundering and five counts of using false documents between 2018 and 2020.

Judge Elma Sheahan said the crime was very serious. She noted that Rizoiu helped a criminal group, planned the activity, and had similar past convictions in other countries.

However, the judge also considered some factors in his favor. These included his guilty plea, his good behavior in prison, his being in custody in Ireland without family support, his personal situation, and his showing regret and apology.

The judge gave a total sentence of seven and a half years, but suspended the last six months. The sentence was counted from the time he first went into custody.

Detective Garda Jack Walsh told the court that the Garda National Crime Bureau was investigating a large organized crime group that opened many bank accounts in Ireland using fake documents. These accounts were used to store money from illegal activities.

In July 2019, police searched a house in Drumcondra and found six fake ID documents, including Danish passports and driving licenses. All had Rizoiu's photo but different names.

The investigation continued, and banks across Ireland provided documents. At the same time, Dutch authorities were investigating a fraud case involving Rizoiu. He was already in prison in the Netherlands for similar crimes when Irish police questioned him.

After serving a 20-month sentence there, he was sent to Ireland.

Rizoiu has no previous convictions in Ireland but has similar convictions in the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK.

In total, he opened 18 Irish bank accounts and laundered 431,618 euros through them. The money came from accounts across Europe. Some of the money was recovered, but the rest was withdrawn or transferred.

His lawyer said Rizoiu is a Romanian citizen with no drug or alcohol problems. He added that his client's guilty plea saved time and resources and showed his regret.

The lawyer also said Rizoiu understands the seriousness of his actions and accepts that he deserves prison. While in custody, he has been studying and is preparing to take his Junior Cert exams. He has been in custody for this case since December 14, 2024.