Latest news with #TheftandFraudOffences
Sunday World
29-07-2025
- Sunday World
Plumber jailed for ‘atrocious and appalling' attack on delivery driver in Wicklow
Leon Cooney (37), a plumber of Ardmore Drive, Herbert Road, Bray, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the delivery driver A Bray man has been jailed for two years for beating up and robbing a delivery driver near his home during a violent drunken attack which a judge described as 'appalling and atrocious.' Leon Cooney (37), a plumber of Ardmore Drive, Herbert Road, Bray, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the delivery driver on January 15, 2024 outside his home, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Cooney also pleaded guilty during a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to a separate charge of robbing a mobile phone from his victim on the same occasion, contrary to Section 14 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. Garda Stephen Farrell told the court that the defendant was highly intoxicated on the night and had physically attacked the delivery driver who suffered abrasions to his head, hands, knees and lower back. The court heard Cooney had assaulted his victim before the man managed to get away from him but pursued him again before physically attacking him a second time and then robbing a phone from his vehicle. Counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, said the victim had not wanted any further role in the proceedings and had not provided a victim impact statement. Judge John Martin said the accused had engaged in 'outrageous conduct' and described his offending as 'appalling and atrocious' for someone who had previously been a perfectly normal functioning member of society. The judge said he appreciated how terrifying it must have been for Cooney's victim who had not only suffered physical injuries but also the psychological impact of a prolonged, sustained attack. He said an aggravating factor in the case was that the victim's phone was never recovered. However, Judge Martin said mitigating factors were Cooney's early guilty plea, his genuine remorse and an offer of €2,500 which he had brought to court which had been accepted by the delivery driver. The judge said a custodial sentence could not be avoided given the circumstances of the case and the need to send out a message that such conduct is not acceptable. Judge Martin expressed concern that attacks on delivery drivers were becoming 'all too prevalent.' 'Such an unprovoked, unwarranted, savage attack cannot be tolerated,' he added. The judge sentenced Cooney to three years in prison for the conviction for assault causing harm but suspended the final 12 months for a period of two years on certain conditions. They include that the accused keeps the peace for two years after his release from prison and places himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for that period as well as a requirement to complete a course in anger management. Cooney had been remanded overnight in custody following a court appearance the previous day. At the start of the hearing, the defendant's counsel, Justin McQuade BL, told the court that Cooney had had a difficult night as it was his first time in a prison cell. Bray Courthouse, where Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court sits News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, July 29
Irish Examiner
22-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Court orders probation and welfare report ahead of Catherine O'Brien sentencing
The preparation of a probation and welfare report has been ordered before the sentencing of Catherine O'Brien on deception charges. Judge Eugene O'Kelly directed that the report be prepared when the sentencing matter came up for mention at Waterford Circuit Court on Tuesday morning. Ms O'Brien was found guilty last Wednesday 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. The jury returned guilty verdicts on all three charges within 40 minutes of being sent out to deliberate last Wednesday afternoon. 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 trial had heard that Mr Blake has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and also suffered a stroke in 2019. On Tuesday morning, counsel for the State, Conor O'Doherty, told Waterford Circuit Court that the injured party in the case will not be able to travel to deliver his victim impact statement in person ahead of sentencing. It will instead be delivered on his behalf by Detective Garda Joe Wyse, Mr O'Doherty said. He said that the only date which the defence team would be in a position to deal with the sentencing would be July 30. However, Mr O'Doherty said there was a very full list for that date. Catherine O'Brien was convicted following a trial relating to the purchase, transport, and insurance of a French mare called Lingreville. File picture: Dan Linehan He applied to the court for an adjournment of the sentencing matter for mention on October 8, which was granted by Judge O'Kelly. Judge O'Kelly said: 'I don't think I formally directed the preparation of a probation and welfare report so I am doing so now. There is no prospect of that being received before the end of term so remand in continuing custody until October 8 for mention on that date, production on that date via video link to Waterford Circuit Criminal Court.' Mr O'Doherty told the court that there is 'another matter, judge, which can travel with it' for mention also on October 8. Judge O'Kelly agreed to that request. Ms O'Brien appeared via video link from Limerick prison for the short hearing. She did not speak during the hearing, other than to confirm that she could hear and see the court.
Sunday World
09-07-2025
- Sunday World
Former Trinity College employee charged with 102 offences over €500k university fraud
The alleged offending occurred between 2020 and 2021 and involved money being paid out to people who had never actually attended the university A former Trinity College employee has been charged with 102 theft and money laundering offences relating to the alleged defrauding of over half a million euro from the university. Helen Richardson (46) and two co-accused appeared before the Dublin District Court this morning as part of a fraud investigation into the payment of over €500,000 from the Trinity College Hardship Fund. The alleged offending occurred between 2020 and 2021 and involved money being paid out to people who had never actually attended the university. Detective Garda Joseph Heaphy gave evidence of arresting Ms Richardson at her home in Beaupark Square, Clongriffin, at 8.14am today. She was conveyed to Pearse Street garda station where she was charged with 102 offences by Sergeant Cliff Harding. The court heard the accused made no reply to any of the charges. She had been employed as the Undergraduate Student Support Officer at the time of the alleged offending. Ms Richardson faces 51 charges of theft from Trinity College Dublin contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. She is further charged with 51 counts of engaging in transferring property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit money from the Student Hardship Fund of Trinity College Dublin, while knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct. Detective Garda Heaphy told the court that there were no objections to bail but added that gardaí were seeking conditions. He requested that the accused provide gardaí with a telephone number within 24 hours and that she inform gardaí if she intends to move home address. Det Gda Heaphy also asked that Ms Richardson have no contact with any of the witnesses involved in the case or her two co-defendants. Helen Richardson (46) of Beaupark Square, Clongriffin Judge Paula Murphy granted the accused bail in her own bond of €300 and applied the conditions sought by gardaí. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that she should face trial on indictment before the Circuit Court and had consented to the matter being sent forward on a signed plea. The detective also sought a four-week adjournment for service of the book of evidence, adding that it is a 'very significant investigation'. Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury applied for legal aid saying his client is currently in receipt of social welfare, which was granted. The accused, wearing a black jumper and denim jeans, did not address the court during the brief hearing and left the court complex shortly after being granted bail. Helen Richardson (46) of Beaupark Square, Clongriffin Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 9th Another defendant Luke Taffe (33), of Brookwood Avenue in Artane, faces 20 money laundering charges as part of the investigation. He is accused of converting/transferring/acquiring/possessing/using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit different sums from the Student Hardship Fund of Trinity College, while knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct. Daniel Dwyer (47), of Edenmore Avenue in Dublin, faces 14 money laundering charges. This includes converting €15,590 from the university's fund at the Central Bank of Ireland in the IFSC, North Wall Quay, while knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct. These charges are contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. The three accused are due to appear before the district court again in October for service of a book of evidence.
