‘CONNED’ OUT OF €6,700

Farmer driven to Dublin, cash withdrawn and left to make own way home

A farmer living in a rural area was driven to Dublin where he was allegedly made to withdraw €6,700 from a bank which he promptly was made to hand over to a Sligoman who drove him there.

When the money was handed over the farmer was left to fend for himself and find his own way home to a rural part of County Roscommon.

It has been alleged the man had befriended the farmer over a period of time and had told him that his van had been impounded in Dublin for using ‘green’ diesel. It is alleged that he told the farmer that he needed €6,700 in order to get the van back from a pound.

The farmer agreed to travel with him to get the money on the basis that it would be returned to him once the van was sold.

It’s claimed the farmer was told that a buyer for the van had already been lined up. However, no sale of the van took place and the farmer was left out of pocket. Gardaí were subsequently contacted and an investigation into the complaint was undertaken.

It is being alleged by the suspect that he was given a loan of the money by the farmer who disputes this.

Meanwhile 35-year-old Teague McGinley of Connaughton Road, appeared before a sitting of Carrick-on-Shannon District Court last week on a charge of making gain by deception.

The case was adjourned by Judge Kevin Kilrane who has adjourned a decision on whether the case should be heard in the District Court or in the Circuit Court. Gardaí will await further instructions from the DPP in the matter.

The question of legal aid was also put back for consideration to the next court date which will be early in the New Year.