Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who carried out bogus charity collection sentenced to four months in prison
Summary
Thomas McDonagh, aged 21, was sentenced to four months in prison by the Swords District Court for carrying out a bogus charity collection. He deceived three local businesses – Excel on Main Street, Advance Pitstop and a shoe repair shop – into giving him €30, claiming it was for the charity Fighting Words. McDonagh pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly inducing the shopkeepers to give money with the intention of making a gain for himself on 1 March. Garda Alan McGrath noted that McDonagh had told the police he had permission for the collection. The money was returned to the Gardaí. McDonagh has 16 previous convictions and has completed an honours Leaving Certificate; his solicitor said he is planning to take a Level 6 Business course. Judge Dermot Dempsey, who had previously given McDonagh a probation order, was not impressed and did not consider community service suitable. He fixed recognisance in the event of an appeal. ENDS.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who carried out bogus charity collection sentenced to four months in prison. Charges or matters: three counts of dishonestly inducing three Swords shopkeepers at Excel on Main Street, Advance Pitstop and a shoe repair shop in the town into giving him money with the intention of making a gain for himself on March 1st. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 1st Other
- 2014-05-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of dishonestly inducing three Swords shopkeepers at Excel on Main Street, Advance Pitstop and a shoe repair shop in the town into giving him money with the intention of making a gain for himself on March 1st (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Dermot Dempsey said he was 'not impressed' with McDonagh and the fact that the 21-year-old has previously been given the benefit of a Probation order, he did not think he would be suitable for community service. He convicted and sentenced him to four months in prison and fixed recognisance in the event of an appeal. 'He has already been given an opportunity to stay out of trouble,' said Judge Dempsey.
Places mentioned
- Swords
- Swords District Court
- Berry Field Crescent
- Main Street
Topics
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