Attempted gambling swindle is rumbled

July 1995

A Wexford betting shop was at the centre of a major Garda investigation after staff were alerted to as suspected major betting swindle.

An extensive inquiry took place at Power’s Bookmakers in Gibson Street when it was found that a betting slip had been tampered with.

The betting company shut up shop temporarily on Wednesday last when the discrepancy was noticed. The winnings on the altered slip amounted to several thousands of pounds.

According to Garda sources, the well-rehearsed swindle is believed to have been carried out by a person who had placed a ‘sure thing’ bet in Power’s on Tuesday afternoon.

It is thought that the fraudster then returned to the betting shop that night, and gained access through a small window.

Garda investigations have revealed that a number of horses were added to the original betting slip (that is held by the bookmakers) during the night-time break-in. The horses concerned were runners at evening race meetings and all appear to have been confirmed winners by the time the alterations to the docket were carried out.

The same alterations were made to the copy racing slip which is retained by the punter. A man turned up at the office the following day, presenting a docket which contained ‘substantial’ winnings from an unlikely accumulator bet. When the size of the winnings was discovered, there was a major alert and this sparked investigations by the Paddy Power organisation, who called in the Gardaí. It is understood that considerable enquiries were necessary before Gardaí established the real nature of the betting swindle involved.

A man has been helping Gardaí with their inquiries into the matter and he may appear at Wexford District Court next week in connection with the incident.