Courts / Dublin / Report

Hospital Santa jailed over forgery operation

Summary

Gregory Kearns, 44, a grandfather who dresses as Santa to visit sick children, was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years in jail after a police raid uncovered equipment capable of producing fake driving licences, motor tax discs and car registration plates. Gardaí found false bank statements, a counterfeit €50 note, a fake drivers licence and a counterfeit motor tax disc in the attic of his home. Kearns pleaded guilty to 14 counts of illegally possessing false instruments and items that could be used to make false instruments. He also admitted to possessing a counterfeit €50 note, though it was not made by him. The judge, Karen O'Connor, noted his seven previous convictions, including handling stolen property, and his financial pressures. He was sentenced to four years with the final eighteen months suspended, meaning he will serve two and a half years in custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Hospital Santa jailed over forgery operation. Charges or matters: 14 counts of illegally possessing false instruments and items that could be used to make false instruments at his home on March 8, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 8, 2014 Incident
• 2017-12-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report