Courts / Dublin / Report
Haulier who wrote bad cheques for green diesel avoids jail
Summary
A former haulage company owner has been given a suspended sentence for writing two cheques for green diesel that failed to clear. Kenneth Browne pleaded guilty to two counts of deception in 2019. He had agreed to pay for 2,500 litres of green diesel with a cheque, but the cheque bounced. He later ordered an additional 5,000 litres, which he also paid for with a cheque that also bounced. Browne had made some repayments to the supplier but stopped when he was told he would only receive a receipt upon full repayment. He attended a voluntary interview and admitted to making poor business decisions that led to his company's bankruptcy. His defence highlighted that he had no repeat offences in the past seven years and was now employed full-time. Judge Jonathan Dunphy noted that Browne had made a dishonest decision to write the cheques and had relevant previous convictions. He set a headline sentence of two and a half years, which he reduced to 20 months in prison on each count to run concurrently.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Haulier who wrote bad cheques for green diesel avoids jail. Charges or matters: two counts of deception relating to offences which occurred in the Balbriggan area on March 20 and 26, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 20 Incident
- 2026-06-12 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of deception relating to offences which occurred in the Balbriggan area on March 20 and 26, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Jonathan Dunphy said that Browne made the "dishonest decision" to write two cheques for the fuel, which he knew would not clear. He suspended that term in full for three years under strict conditions, saying he was of the opinion that a custodial sentence was not warranted.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Balbriggan
- Balbriggan Road
- Skerries
- Dublin
- Roy O'Neill attended Balbriggan Garda Station
- Balbriggan
Topics
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