Garda cleared in minutes over ‘€2,500 deception’ Witness tells court ‘good guy’ officer paid cash back
Gda Paul Mulcair in Cork yesterday A GARDA on trial for deception was cleared yesterday after the only witness said he gave the accused a loan of €2,000 which was repaid.
Paul Mulcair, 43, had been accused of persuading two people to give him cash in 2015.
The first charge was he induced a man to pay him €500 with the intention of making a gain for himself at Eastern Road in Kinsale, Co Cork, on September 29.
It was claimed Gda Mulcair told him he was on a basic wage and cash-strapped. He said he wasn’t being paid overtime or bonuses.
It was further alleged he induced another man in the town to pay him €2,000 on November 29.
This time it was said he claimed his wife was sick, they needed a new boiler and he wasn’t getting paid.
The State’s contention was the man handed him €2,000 at Haven Hill. However, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday the witness said he had been paid back and that Gda Mulcair was a “good guy” who he knew pretty well through the local rugby club.
State counsel Donal Mccarthy said there would be no further evidence. He asked Judge Sean O Donnabhain to direct the jury to return a not guilty verdict.
The trial was over within minutes after it emerged the Inspector who had investigated the case was out on sick leave.
Gda Mulcair, of Kinsale Garda station, had pleaded not guilty. He did not comment as he left the court.
Addressing the jury of six men and six women, Judge O Donnabhain said: “I did say this would be a short case. In fact, the case is over.”
CORK COURT YESTERDAY
I did say this would be a short case. In fact, the case is over JUDGE O DONNABHAIN