The former chief executive of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), Mr Cian O'Tighearnaigh, appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday charged with fraud.
The 42-year-old former children's rights campaigner is accused of carrying on business for a fraudulent purpose, contrary to the Companies Act, while head of the ISPCC in December 1998.
Det Garda Francis McGroder, Bureau of Fraud Investigation, told the court he was arrested by appointment yesterday afternoon and taken to Pearse Street Garda Station. After he was charged he replied: "I am not guilty of that charge." The detective said he had no objection to bail and further similar charges would follow.
Asked by Judge David Anderson whether free legal aid would be required, Mr O'Tighearnaigh's solicitor said he was self-employed and "comfortably off". The charges would be strenuously defended, the solicitor said.
Judge Anderson was told a book of evidence would be ready in six weeks and he remanded Mr O'Tighearnaigh on his own bail of £3,000 to January 8th.