Arranged at Mass for his car to be stolen

December 2000

Having a conversation about cars while walking out of Mass ended in a Craanford resident falsely reporting his own car stolen in an effort to scam £6,500 from his insurance company, Gorey District Court heard last week.

Before the court was [NAME WITHELD], a retired man originally from Dublin, who has been living in the area for the past couple of years.

The court heard that defendant met another man while coming out of Mass one day last year, and they got talking about cars. Defendant said his own car was giving him trouble, and added as a joke that he wished somebody would steal it. The other person, who was not named in court, replied: ‘I can arrange that’.

A few days later, the other person called to the defendant’s house and said he was there to take the car. Defendant went along with the scam.

Sergeant Michael O’Connor gave evidence that the insurance company agreed to pay out £6,500 after the car was ‘stolen’. The scam was uncovered before the cheque was issued, though.

Defending solicitor Michael Cullen said his client accepts that what he did was ‘ridiculous’ and ‘stupid’.

‘He is appalled at what he has done, and is full of remorse. He had every serious financial difficulties at the time. This was totally out of character for him, and there will no repetition,’ said Mr Cullen.

Sgt. O’Connor said his own inquiries have also led him to believe that the defendant is normally ‘a good, decent man’.

Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla chose to adjourn the matter for a probation officer’s report before imposing penalty. The matter is to return to court on February 23 next.