A former RTE executive appeared in court yesterday charged with defrauding the station of £71,000 over four years. Mr John McGrath (45), of Blessington Road, Tallaght, Dublin, RTE's former head of network, was charged yesterday morning at Dublin District Court with 43 counts of false pretences and forgery.
Det Sgt John McCann of the Fraud Bureau said he had met the defendant by appointment that morning and he had nothing to say when charged.
The court heard the DPP had directed the case, which involves the purchase of equipment and cheques signed by Mr McGrath between 1992 and 1996, should be heard on indictment in the Circuit Court.
Defence solicitor Mr Michael Staines said the accused was waiving preliminary examination and that the State solicitor had made arrangements to return him for trial immediately.
Mr Staines added that for technical reasons the order should be made on a not guilty plea at this stage.
Judge Desmond Hogan set bail at £2,000 and approved an independent surety before releasing the defendant to appear for trial at the present sittings of the Circuit Criminal Court.