Latest news with #CriminalJustice(TheftandFraudOffences)Act2001
Irish Independent
02-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Man allegedly held carving knife to escort's throat and robbed her when she refused to give him a hug, court hears
The court heard that the woman, a makeup artist from England, suffered a deep laceration between her thumb and forefinger and was later told by a doctor she was 'lucky not to lose her thumb and that she had lost a significant amount of blood". The man, who is aged in his 30s, appeared before Tallaght District Court, where he was remanded in custody. He is charged with one count of robbery, contrary to Section 14 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001; one count of production of an article, and additional offences under Sections 9(1) and 9(7) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. The charges relate to the alleged theft of two iPhones, a black handbag, and €1,340 in cash during the incident. Garda Louise Hayes objected to bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act, citing the serious nature of the offence, the strength of the evidence, and the risk of further offending. She told the court: "The footage shows him violently dragging the injured party from the building while holding a knife". The alleged incident happened at the man's apartment in South Dublin in the early hours of Sunday, July 27. The woman told gardaí she had travelled to Dublin from England to visit friends and had posted an ad on an escorting website to earn extra money. She said she arrived at the man's home around 8pm on Saturday night and stayed several hours. She said they engaged in consensual sexual activity, and that the man was drinking and took cocaine. Garda Hayes told the court that the woman alleges that around 5am, as she was preparing to leave, the man asked her for a hug. When she declined, he allegedly became aggressive, demanded his money (€1,340) back, and is said to have produced a large carving knife, which he held to her throat before allegedly taking two of her mobile phones. She managed to escape by telling him her friends were outside, and called 999 once she reached safety. She was taken by ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital, where doctors treated the deep wound to her hand. Gardaí arrested the accused shortly afterwards. The court heard that a search of the apartment uncovered cash, clothing, a used condom, and one of the woman's missing phones. Blood was still visible at the scene, and investigators took swabs and photographs, the court heard. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The court was shown CCTV footage from the hallway of the apartment complex. The 35-second clip allegedly shows the man dragging the woman aggressively while holding a knife in his left hand. While viewing the footage, Judge Patricia McNamara remarked: "It's like a carving knife - a large carving knife in his left hand". Barrister Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, defending, said the man is due to start a new role with the large multinational tech firm where he currently works. She said a refusal of bail could cause her client to lose both his job and his home, which could have knock-on effects for his family. She said there was no possibility of contact with the complainant as she had returned to England. Counsel said her client was willing to comply with strict bail conditions and was 'desperate to return to work'. However, Judge McNamara said: 'He has the presumption of innocence. But he is charged with two very serious offences that can't be ignored. The seriousness of the alleged offence, the strength of the evidence, and the likely sentence if convicted - for these reasons, under Section 2, I am refusing bail.' The man was remanded in custody to appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court at 10am on Thursday, July 31. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Irish Examiner
28-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Cork woman charged with stealing €70k from Kinsale restaurant further remanded on bail
The case against a woman facing more than 130 charges in relation to the alleged theft of money from the Kinsale restaurant owned by TV chef Martin Shanahan has been adjourned until September. Nessa Gilsenan, aged 51, of Copper Beech House, Mellifontstown, Kinsale, Co Cork, faces a total of 132 charges relating to the alleged theft of more than €70,000 from the Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale, Co Cork. She did not appear when the case came before Bandon District Court on Monday but was represented by her solicitor, Daithí Ó'Donnabhain. He agreed to a State application that Ms Gilsenan be remanded on continuing bail to September 18, for service of the book of evidence in the case. Judge Joanne Carroll remanded Ms Gilsenan on continuing bail to appear on September 18. The State alleges Ms Gilsenan stole property at Fishy Fishy Restaurant, Crowley's Quay, Kinsale, belonging to Mr Shanahan, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The charges include more than 100 charges of theft relating to alleged offences on dates from 2017 to 2022, as well as further charges relating to alleged false accounting. It is alleged the former employee stole amounts varying from €82 to €1,600 from the restaurant, totalling more than €73,000. She also faces charges she dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for herself or another, provided information for her employer, Mr Shanahan, for the purpose of weekly staff payroll payment approval, produced or used a document made or required for accounting purposes which she knew was misleading, false, or deceptive, contrary to Section 10 (1) (C) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed Ms Gilsenan be returned for trial on indictment at a previous hearing. Ms Gilsenan was also previously deemed entitled to legal aid after her solicitor handed in an application for legal aid, a statement of means, and a payslip from his client.
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Breaking: Catherine O'Brien found guilty of deception charges
Catherine O'Brien has been found guilty of deception charges by a jury at Waterford Circuit Court. The jury returned the verdict following a trial relating to the purchase, transport, and insurance of a French mare called Lingreville. It was alleged that she 'dishonestly by deception' induced Dubliner John Blake to pay €20,000 to purchase the horse — which the State alleged was not purchased; to pay €1,100 insurance for the mare — which the State said was not paid; and €984 to transport the horse from France to Ireland — which the State said was not transported. Ms O'Brien, of An Grianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, had pleaded not guilty to the three charges of making gain or causing loss by deception contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The jury had heard she had met Mr Blake on a dating website called Plenty of Fish. More to follow...
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Deception trial of Catherine O'Brien adjourned following jury foreman's bereavement
The deception trial of Catherine O'Brien was adjourned until tomorrow following a bereavement suffered by the jury foreman over the weekend. When excusing the other 11 jurors this morning, Judge Eugene O'Kelly informed them he had given permission to the accused, Ms O'Brien, to stand, as she is suffering from a medical condition that makes it uncomfortable for her to sit. Ms O'Brien is facing charges of deception related to a man named John Blake, and the alleged purchase, transport, and insurance of a French mare named Lingreville. It is alleged that she 'dishonestly by deception' induced Mr Blake to pay €20,000 to purchase the horse — which the State claims was never bought; to pay €1,100 in insurance — which the State alleges was not paid; and €984 for transport from France to Ireland — which the State contends never occurred. Ms O'Brien, of An Grianán, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, has pleaded not guilty to the three charges of making gain or causing loss by deception, contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Judge O'Kelly asked the 11 jurors to return on Tuesday, adding that the foreman is expected to return then. He asked the jury to excuse Ms O'Brien as she 'may have to stand up or take regular breaks' on Tuesday. Ms O'Brien stood throughout the brief hearing, wearing a black sleeveless jacket, wine jumper, and navy trousers, with her hair tied back. She was remanded on continuing bail. Read More Cork woman on trial for deception feared for her and her children's lives after harassment
Sunday World
09-07-2025
- Sunday World
Two doctors and secretary sent for trial accused of theft and money laundering
General practitioners Muhammad Azam and Waqas Farooqi, as well as Gillian McCord appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court Two midlands-based doctors and a secretary have been sent forward to stand trial, accused of multiple counts of stealing money under a state-funded healthcare reimbursement scheme and submitting false medical service claims on behalf of patients to the HSE. General practitioners Muhammad Azam (59), of The Rocks, Stonepark, Co Longford, and Waqas Farooqi (46) Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, as well as Gillian McCord (56), of Knockanboy, Co Longford, appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court where they were each served with a book of evidence. The trio face a total of over 130 charges between them, amounting to 20 counts of theft and a further 22 concerning the alleged use of false general medical services claims or out-of-hours payment forms for 12 different patients at the Primary Care Reimbursement Services head offices, Exit 50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, on various dates between August 2017 and October 2019. Doctor's Azam and Farooqi, the court heard, were facing 48 and 47 charges respectively with their co-accused issued with 42 charges. Dr Waqas Farooqi outside Longford Courthouse. The particulars of those charges alleged false medical documentation was used to indicate that a particular patient had received a 'medical service' with the 'intent of inducing another person to accept it as genuine' under the provisions of section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Dr Azam and Dr Farooqi were similarly charged with multiple counts of money laundering at locations within the State that related to various bank accounts from AIB, PTSB and Ulster Bank between October 2017 and December 2019. Sgt Gerry Newton gave evidence of having served a book of evidence on both doctors and Ms McCord prior to the commencement of court proceedings this morning. Judge Bernadette Owens gave what is known as the alibi warning to the trio, advising them of their obligations to notify the State of any alibi evidence they wished to rely on during the course of their trial. Gillian McCord outside Longford Courthouse. Defence solicitor for Dr Azam, Aoife Dalton made an application to vary her client's bail and to return his passport in late December. Judge Owens said that request was, however, one that should be put to the Circuit Criminal Court as it was not an 'immediate' variation that was being asked for. Patrick Groarke SC, for Ms McCord confirmed his client was a medical secretary and applied for legal aid on her behalf. Dr Muhammad Azam was served with a book of evidence alongside his two co-accused Dr Waqas Farooqi and Gillian McCord Judge Owens sanctioned that request, assigning both a junior and senior counsel in the process. All three appeared at an initial hearing before the same court four weeks earlier where, aside from their co-accused, both doctors lodged €5,000 cash lodgements as part of their bail conditions. Dr Muhammad Azam on his way into Longford Courthouse. Among a raft of other court imposed orders were for the trio to surrender their passports and to refrain from applying for any duplicate travel documentation. Dr Azam and Ms McCord were also directed to sign on once a week at Longford Garda Station with Dr Farooqi's bail terms complying him to do likewise in Mullingar. That hearing was also told how the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed for the trio to be sent forward for trial without consent being given to a signed plea. All three are due to appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on July 15.
