Man admits deceiving his Limerick employer by receiving payments into personal account

A FORMER Limerick Leader employee appeared in court this Monday charged with three counts of deception.

The accused - Gary Toohey, aged 34, of Capparoe, Nenagh, County Tipperary - sat in the dock when the matter was called at Limerick District Court.

READ MORE: Shots fired in Limerick feud for second time in less than a week

Sergeant Aisling O’Neill, on behalf of the State, tendered evidence of arrest, charge and caution to Judge Patricia Harney by way of certificate.

“The DPP directs summary disposal,” said Sgt O’Neill.

Tom Kiely, solicitor for Mr Toohey, said a plea of guilty is being indicated.

The three offences occurred on March 1, March 24 and April 13 of 2023 in the Limerick Leader office, Glentworth Street, Limerick city.

Mr Toohey pleaded guilty to three charges of “dishonestly by deception induce an overseas company to do an act, to whit, post online an advertisement on the Limerick Leader website with the intention of making gain for himself”.

The amounts were €370 on March 1; €325 on March 24 and €485 on April 13 of 2023, with a total amount of €1,180. The three counts of deception are contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Offences Act, 2001.

Judge Patricia Harney, presiding, informed Mr Toohey he is entitled to be tried by a judge and jury in the circuit court or have matters dealt with in the district court.

“District,” replied Mr Toohey.

Mr Kiely, solicitor, said €1,180 in compensation was paid over that morning.

Sgt O’Neill said the defendant is a former employee of the Limerick Leader.

“He received three payments into his personal bank account for three unauthorised online advertisements which the employee posted on the Limerick Leader website. He had no permission to do this. The total value of the three transactions is €1,180.

“It was reported to gardai and investigated. When the defendant was questioned by gardai he was very co-operative and offered to pay the money back immediately. He has done so today. He has no previous convictions,” said Sgt O’Neill.  

In mitigation, Mr Kiely said Mr Toohey was born in 1990 and is very grateful to have had very good employment in the Limerick Leader.

“He expressed that to Garda Ryan when asked about it. Unfortunately, at the time, while he was in good employment, he was in a very bad place personally. There was a relationship breakdown causing him to move back home in rural County Tipperary,” said Mr Kiely.

Judge Harney interjected and asked if a report from the Probation Service would be of benefit.

“It would assist the court,” said Mr Kiely.

Judge Harney adjourned matters until October 15 to allow time for a pre-sanction report to be prepared by the Probation Service.

Mr Toohey was remanded on continuing bail.