Courts / Wexford / Report

Witness denies disliking brother and "inserting" him in to alleged will forgery statements

Date
2015-01-26
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Wexford
County
Wexford

Summary

In the fourth day of the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, William O'Leary (51) and Noel Hayes (61) pleaded not guilty to forging the will of Matthew Hayes. The prosecution witness, Charles O'Leary, denied to defence counsel that he was exploiting a sick child of friends. He had previously pleaded guilty to the alleged forgery, received an 18‑month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay €30,000. O'Leary claimed he had received £12,500 for his role but gave the money to his sister and a family friend, and that he had not mentioned to the Gardaí that he was the guarantor on a boat loan. Defence counsel accused O'Leary of inserting his brother into statements about the forgery and of acting deviously. The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness denies disliking brother and "inserting" him in to alleged will forgery statements. Charges or matters: taking part in the alleged forgery. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: O'Leary had not mentioned to the gardaí that he was the guarantor on the boat loan because he was attempting to 'buttress' his case that his conscience wouldn't let him take 'dirty money'. CNI source report

Case subjects

William O'Leary

Applicant

Charges: taking part in the alleged forgery (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was given an 18 month suspended sentence and ordered to pay €30,000 in an account pending for the next of kin. I don't want to be accused of interrupting your flow." He then put it to Mr O'Leary that he had 'ruthlessly exploited that child to the jury' and had also done so in his sentence hearing.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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