Man was 'pressured' into faking Limerick car crash, court hears
It was Detective Clifford’s view that the defendant made this claim ‘under duress’ and that he was ‘pressured’ to take part in the fake crash
A MAN who was “pressured” into staging a car crash more than 12 years ago has been convicted of this offence at Limerick District Court.
Paul Fletcher, aged 35, with an address in Nenagh, Tipperary, appeared before Judge Patricia Harney this Wednesday. He is charged with deception arising from an incident on August 15, 2014.
Giving evidence, Detective Garda Enda Clifford, of Henry Street garda station, informed the court that the collision took place late at night on the Bloodmill Road. Mr Fletcher was a rear seat passenger in the car at this time.
The detective confirmed that a number of people were involved in, what was found to be, a “staged” collision and as a result, several personal injury claims were made, including by the defendant.
Upon investigating the matter, it was Det Clifford’s view that Mr Fletcher made this claim “under duress” and that he was “pressured” to take part in the fake crash.
Limerick District Court heard that a family member of the accused, who was a juvenile when this incident occurred, had acquired a large drug debt which Mr Fletcher took upon himself to clear.
After engaging with, what was described as, a “criminal fraternity,” the accused went on with the deception offence and received a personal injury claim of €10,395 thereafter.
The funds were paid to those who were owed money by his family member and Mr Fletcher made no financial gain during or after the incident.
Judge Harney was informed that a number of other defendants are before the courts in relation to this matter also.
Paul Fletcher has 15 previous convictions, with the majority being for road traffic offences. His solicitor, Sarah Ryan, emphasised in court that her client was “put under pressure” to stage this accident in order to alleviate the drug debt.
Upon hearing facts of the case, Judge Patricia Harney said she “fully accepts” the defendant’s account and convicted him for deception.
The 35-year-old was handed down a 12-month probation bond with no conditions and he was released on an own bond of €100.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.