Monaghan Credit Union Money Muling Awareness / Mental Health Awareness Talk for Monaghan Transition Year Students.
16 January, 2025Monaghan Credit Union held an information talk in the Hilgrove Hotel on Thursday 9th January where Transition Year students from local secondary schools were invited to raise awareness of Money Muling and Mental Health.
Sgt John Maher and Garda Joel Collins spoke to the students about the dangers & consequences of Money Muling & Fraud Safety, Sexploitation and Crypto Currency.
An Garda Síochána define a money mule as “a person who transfers illegally obtained money between different accounts, very often in different countries, on behalf of others”.
A teenager could be approached by a friend or an adult acquaintance with the offer of letting that acquaintance use their bank account for a small financial gain.
This event outlined the warning signs in relation to Money Muling. They explained how individuals are recruited, the implications and legal impacts of being convicted and what to do if you think you have been involved in Money Muling. The students were warned that their bank account is their responsibility and if they allow the illegal transfer of money into it they are liable to be prosecuted. They could find themselves with a criminal record which would impact their ability to travel abroad for college or work visas and it will seriously affect their opportunity to gain their chosen employment.
According to Monaghan Credit Union, we are seeing this more and more episodes of Money Muling around the country, young people are an easy target as they are at a vulnerable age. Monaghan Credit Union has teamed up with An Garda Siochana’s Crime Prevention Unit to raise awareness of the dangers of Money Muling and the implications it can have in the future for young people.
If you have been approached to act as a money mule or have been a victim of this type of crime, report it to your local Garda station.
Monaghan Credit Union along with An Garda Siochana were joined by a volunteer from SOSAD, Sean McKenna. Sean offered advice to the students on the signs to look out for, what to do and what helplines to call when someone is struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harm, depression, bereavement, stress or anxiety.
Sean explained how everyone experiences periods in their life when they feel low for a short amount of time, and this is a normal part of life. It is only when low periods last for an extended time or the way you are feeling interferes with the everyday life that you may be suffering from depression. Asking for help is the first step in your recovery.
He mentioned the different signs to look out for in friends and family including;
What they say; saying they have no purpose in their lives, that they feel hopeless, feeling guilt, shame or anger or feeling like they are a burden.
Behavioural changes; giving prized possessions away, becoming more inward – looking and withdrawing from friends and family, extreme emotions or dramatic changes in moods or increasing their use of alcohol or drugs.
If you recognise one or more of these warning signs in a loved one’s behaviour, do not wait for someone else to do something.
Monaghan Credit Union would like to thank the local schools for supporting this event, the teachers and students for attending the Money Muling Talk, Sgt John Maher and Garda Joel Collins from an Garda Siochana and Sean McKenna from SOSAD for taking time out of their busy day to educate young people of Money Muling Awareness and Suicide Awareness.
If you wish to talk to someone in relation to Mental Health, suicide prevention, depression, bereavement, stress or anxiety, please call one of the helplines below or confide in an adult you trust.
Helplines in Ireland.
LA519 Free 24/7 Crisis Text line: Text LA519 to 50808.
Pieta House Free 24/7 Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444
Childline Free 24/7 Confidential Helpline: 1800 666 666 or Text 50101
SOSAD Ireland Free Support Helpline: 1800 901 909
Samaritans Free 24/7 Support Helpline: 116 123
