Westmeath man pleads guilty to insurance fraud
A Westmeath man who pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to defrauding insurance companies of more than £55,000 Irl in the mid 1990s has been remanded for sentence on December 9.
Peter Leahy (aged 37) of Old Longford Road, Mullingar, pleaded guilty to one count of defrauding Guardian PMPA of £24,000 and two counts of defrauding Cornhill Insurance of a total of £31,455 on dates between October 1995 and November 1996.
Judge Yvonne Murphy adjourned sentence to December 9 following submissions from defence counsel, Mr Niall Durnin SC, and remanded Leahy on continuing bail. Leahy’s plea came before his trial began after a jury had been sworn in for the case.
Mr Durnin said Leahy had recently suffered a life-threatening illness for which he continued to be treated and would also need time to gather funds for compensation.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr Paul O’Higgins SC, earlier told the court that Leahy claimed in July 1995 he had been driving a vehicle along the Longford bypass when he was hit from behind by a van which pushed him across a roundabout causing severe damage and personal injury.
Mr O’Higgins said this accident never happened and Leahy received cheques for £16,205 and £15,250 from Cornhill Insurance under false pretences.
Counsel added that Leahy also received £24,000 from Guardian PMPA in April 1996 by falsely pretending his Land Rover vehicle was stolen from The Laurel’s Pub in Clondalkin.
