Garda goes on trial for stealing more than €3,300 from work

The trial of a member of An Garda Síochána charged with five counts of theft has heard he allegedly made false claims for work allowances he was not entitled to.

Ciaran Folan (44), with an address at Fethard On Sea, Wexford, has denied five counts of the theft of a total of €3,310.27 from his employer, the Minister for Justice, on dates between September 9th, 2007 and January 31st, 2008.

Opening the case before Judge Tom O’Donnell, prosecution counsel John O’Sullivan told the jury that although it was an “unfortunate case”, it was still a criminal case where the accused is charged with five criminal offences.

Garda Folan is accused of the theft of a total of €3,310.29 by claiming allowances, from his employer, for which he was not entitled to claim.

Mr O’Sullivan said that “although the amounts of money involved are not terribly valuable in today’s terms”, in essence he added, “it is the State’s case that Garda Folan procured payment of allowances that he was not entitled to”.

Mr O’Sullivan said Garda Folan “stepped in to the shoes” of the financial officer Julianne Gill by taking on her duties when she went on maternity leave in June 2007.

Garda Folan became responsible for processing pay and allowances, including his own, in the Clifden Garda District.

Mr O’Sullivan said gardaí were entitled to claim allowances for weekend work, bank holidays and overtime.

Garda Folan also took on the duties of the District Clerk at Clifden Garda station on a temporary basis, meaning he was not rostered for duties at weekends or bank holidays.

This, Mr O’Sullivan argued, rendered him ineligible to claim those allowances.

“It is submitted that Ciaran Folan procured payments that he was not entitled to for night duty, overtime and weekend payments,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

After Mr O’Sullivan’s opening address, the trial entered legal argument and the jury was sent home for the day.

The trial continues before Judge Tom O’Donnell.