Courts / Dublin / Report

'Fall Guy' jailed for 'disastrous' role in 'murky' north-south plant leasing scam

Summary

Charles Mavitty, 66, of Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of inducing others by deception to approve lease agreements on April 3 and 5, 2017. Judge Martin Nolan described Mavitty as the "front man" and a "vital cog" in a fraud involving the leasing of heavy plant machinery, noting that he signed paperwork and engaged financial companies using false documents, including fake utility bills, bank statements, and tax clearance certificates. The prosecution alleged that two Dublin-based financing companies, Bluestone Asset Finance and Finance Ireland, suffered a combined loss of over €240,000 after lending money to purchase two Hitachi excavators that have never been located. Mavitty provided a false address in Galway and made excuses regarding the machines' whereabouts. Defence counsel argued that Mavitty was a "pawn" and a "fall guy" in a larger scheme, stating he was pressurised by others and did not benefit financially. Judge Nolan set a headline sentence of five years but reduced it by half due to mitigating factors, including Mavitty's lack of previous convictions, his status as a family man, and his cooperation with authorities. The judge inferred that Mavitty knew what he was doing and never intended to use the machines. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Fall Guy' jailed for 'disastrous' role in 'murky' north-south plant leasing scam. Charges or matters: two counts of inducing others by deception to approve lease agreements on April 3 and 5, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 3 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 10, 2017 Other
• January 2019 Other
• 2024-03-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report