Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for man who made fake €40k insurance claim
Summary
Michael Darcy, a 37‑year‑old Dubliner, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for making a false insurance claim to AXA. He alleged that jewellery worth over €40,000 had been stolen during a fictitious break‑in on 1 September 2013. Darcy had previously listed an 18‑carat gold engagement ring (€25,000), a lady's bracelet (€11,000) and a man's bracelet (€5,400) on his AXA policy, though he never owned them. He also forged an AIB bank statement to show €48,783.42 in his account, when the real balance was €34.42. The court noted his prior convictions for burglary, theft and traffic offences, but also his capacity for work and reform. The sentence was back‑dated to 27 October, when he entered custody. The judge described the fraud as a "thought‑out" white‑collar crime. The case highlighted the cost to AXA, which spent €6,200 on the investigation. Michael Darcy pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man who made fake €40k insurance claim. Charges or matters: making a false insurance claim to AXA Insurance at a place within the State on September 1, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 1, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 17, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 3 Other
- August 1 Other
- August 2 Other
- October 27 Incident
- 2017-11-23 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: making a false insurance claim to AXA Insurance at a place within the State on September 1, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: It never existed," said Judge Martin Nolan, passing sentence today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. "I don't know what caused you to do it, but you shouldn't have done it," said Judge Nolan, adding that Darcy deserved a custodial sentence for this "thought-out fraud". Darcy's defence counsel said he had served seven months in custody in the UK of a 14 month sentence for burglary, during which period he had become drug-free.
Places mentioned
Topics
Burglary Fraud Stage Sentence Theft
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