Laois man charged with fraudulently obtaining funds from Department of Agriculture
Portlaoise Courthouse
A BALLYFIN man was sent forward to the next sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court charged with fraudulently obtaining funds from the Department of Agriculture.
Paul Gilligan (49), Aviola, Brockera, Ballyfin appeared before Monday’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
He is accused of making gain or causing loss by dishonestly inducing the Department of Agriculture basic payment scheme grants between 12 May and 30 December 2016, between 10 May and 5 December 2017, between 8 May and 4 December 2018 and between 3 June and 18 December 2019.
Mr Gilligan is also charged with forging a €1,000 cheque on 13 October 2016, a cheque for €3,300 on 6 November 2018, a cheque for €2,500 on 9 November 2018 and a cheque for €75 on 14 October 2016.
He is also accused of using a false instrument in relation to a form for changing a herd number on 13 May 2020.
Garda Lisa Murray served the defendant with the book of evidence.
Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said the director of public prosecutions had not consented to the case being sent forward for trial on a signed plea.
Remanding Mr Gillian on his own bail of €200 and sending him forward to the 23 June sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Susan Fay advised the defendant that he must notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intended to use an alibi in his defence.
Solicitor Conor Crean said his client was not seeking free legal aid.
