Eamon Shield pleads not guilty to theft and deception charges

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Eamon Shield, 45, has pleaded not guilty to 15 counts of theft and 12 counts of making a gain by deception at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The charges concern June 2011 to February 2012. The proceedings were reported on 12 July 2016.

Shield is alleged to have stolen €178,000 from 12 people by telling them he could resell repossessed cars at a significant markup. Shane Costelloe SC, prosecuting, told the jury there was no business and that new investors’ money was being used to pay existing investors.

The report said the trial began on Monday, but a new jury had to be sworn after an issue with a juror. Evidence was due to continue before Judge Patricia Ryan and the jury, and the trial was expected to run for two weeks.

David O’Grady testified that he responded to a newspaper advertisement seeking investors and later met Shield with his friend Malcolm Griffin. O’Grady said Shield promised a 100% return within 60 days, with the money used to buy repossessed cars for resale. Both men agreed to invest €3,000 each and later signed a contract.

In evidence to Ciaran O’Loughlin SC, defending, O’Grady said he did not remember discussing whether the return might not happen or could not be guaranteed. He agreed Shield had not pushed or goaded him into investing and that the decision was his.

O’Grady said he received payments of €200 and €500, but nothing else. Griffin said that after two months he repeatedly rang Shield, received excuses and was told payments were delayed but coming. Griffin said he then complained to gardaí in Listowel.