Newtowncunningham man to stand trial on alleged €133,000 cheque fraud

A Donegal man will stand trial for alleged cheque fraud totalling over €133,000.

Joe Donaghy appeared before Letterkenny District Court this week in connection with the alleged offences.

The 33-year-old Donaghy, with an address at Cornfield Lane, Newtowncunningham, has been returned for trial to Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Donaghy has been charged in relation to offences dated 2022. The court heard that there are 14 charges in a book of evidence served on Donaghy.

Garda Pauline Doherty gave evidence of serving the book on the accused.

Among the charges faces Donaghy are five counts of making false instruments, namely Allied Irish Bank cheques in amounts totalling €133,103.24 with the intention that they be used to induce another person to accept it as genuine and by reason of so accepting the said instrument to do some act to the prejudice of that person or any other person.

The charge is Contrary to Section 25 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

The cheques in question relate to amounts of €33,900 (x2), €22,011, €23,011 and €20,281.24 in November and December 2022 at Donaghy Agri Ltd, Newtowncunningham.

He is also charged that on November 14, 2022, at East Donegal Co-Operative Livestock Mart Limited, Raphoe, he did dishonestly by deception induce Ann Harkin to do an act to wit accept as genuine an Allied Irish Bank cheque to the value of €20,281.24 drawn on an Allied Irish Bank account with the intention of making a gain for himself or another.

The charge is Contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001

He faces similar charges relating to December 21, 2022 over figures of €23,011 and €33,900 where he is alleged to have dishonestly by deception induced Brian Crawford to accept as genuine Allied Irish Bank cheques for those amounts.

Donaghy is also charged with separate counts of attempting to commit an offence of making gain or causing loss to another contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 by dishonestly by deception inducing Brian Crawford to accept as genuine Allied Irish Bank cheques valued at €22,011 and €23,011 with the intention of making a gain for himself.

These charges are contrary to common law.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, which commences on October 29.

Donaghy is represented by solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher, who asked the court that two legal counsel be granted in the matter.

Noting the DPP’s consent, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham made an order returning Donaghy for trial. Judge Cunningham administered the alibi warning and made a section 56 order relating to tapes of interviews.

Newtowncunningham man to stand trial on alleged €133,000 cheque fraud was last modified: September 19th, 2024 by Staff Writer