A former senior bank official with the Bank of Ireland branch in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, appeared yesterday on 229 charges of fraud, falsification of accounts and larceny, totalling £370,000, at Carlow District Court.
Det Garda Paddy Lenihan from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, gave evidence to the court of arresting Mr Seβn Kavanagh at Monacurragh, Carlow, at 12 a.m. yesterday and later charging him with fraud, falsification of accounts and larceny at the Bank of Ireland branch in Bagenalstown between December 1989 and July 1997.
Mr Kavanagh had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Det Garda Lenihan sought a remand to next Monday's sitting of Bagenalstown District Court but said he had no objection to bail, provided Mr Kavanagh signed on at a local Garda station.
He also believed Mr Kavanagh's passport had expired and asked that a further condition of bail be that he not apply to have his passport renewed.
Asked by Judge Tom Fitzpatrick what amount of money was involved, the garda replied: "Approximately £337,000 Irish and £25,000 sterling, amounting to £370,000 Irish punts."
Judge Fitzpatrick set bail at £9,000 of a personal bond, one-third of which is to be in the form of a cash lodgment, together with an independent surety of £60,000, one-third in cash.
Mr Michael Lanigan, solicitor for Mr Kavanagh, applied for free legal aid.
His client, who was working and earning £200 net a week, suffered from diabetes.
He believed it was a case which would go forward to another court for trial.
"My client is separated and is also the subject of a freezing order of his assets since 1997," Mr Lanigan submitted.
Judge Fitzpatrick remanded Mr Kavanagh in custody to next Monday's sitting of Bagenalstown District Court, subject to bail.