Courts / Dublin / Report

Former solicitor refused more time to appeal conviction over cheque fraud

Date
2019-10-11

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Vincent O'Donoghue, a former solicitor, was refused an extension of time to appeal his conviction for fraudulently converting cheques. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, denied the application. O'Donoghue had previously pleaded guilty to converting cheques totalling IR£34,828 (€44,231) intended as property deposits in Dublin and Belfast in the late 1990s. He was sentenced in July 2014 by Judge Mary Ellen Ring to 220 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year prison term. The judges noted that O'Donoghue, a former solicitor, entered his guilty plea while represented by legal counsel and had sworn affidavits that failed to demonstrate any substantive point for appeal. The court emphasized that finality and certainty are important litigation objectives, concluding that the interests of justice would not be served by granting more time. The matter was adjourned regarding the extension request, which was refused, leaving the original conviction and sentence intact.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former solicitor refused more time to appeal conviction over cheque fraud. Charges or matters: fraudulently converting cheques totalling IR£34,828 (€44,231) which were to be used as deposits on properties in Dublin and Belfast in the late 1990s. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

January 22, 1999 Incident
May 2000 Incident
July 2002 Incident
2009 to 2013 Incident
1998 and 1999 Incident
2019-10-11 Publication

Case subjects

Vincent O'Donoghue

Defendant

Charges: fraudulently converting cheques totalling IR£34,828 (€44,231) which were to be used as deposits on properties in Dublin and Belfast in the late 1990s (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He changed his plea to guilty ahead of a trial and was ordered to carry out 220 hours community service in lieu of a two year prison sentence by Judge Mary Ellen Ring in July, 2014.