Meath man gets suspended sentence for fraud
A Co Meath father of three who stole almost €37,000 from his employer in a "basic and amateurish" fraud has been given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
William Ormsby, aged 41, of The Downs, Dunshaughlin, wrote his own name after the company name on cheques payable to his employer’s business and lodged amounts totalling €36,713 in his own bank account.
Ormsby pleaded guilty to ten sample counts of stealing cheques payable to Professional Hygiene Services (PHS), belonging to Mr Joseph O’Connell, on dates from January 11, 2002 to October 9, 2003.
Judge Katherine Delahunt noted that the money stolen and Mr O’Connell’s legal costs had been recovered in a civil action last year. She noted Ormsby’s remorse and the "shame" he had bought on his family.
Judge Delahunt imposed a three year suspended sentence and ordered a probation report to assess Ormsby’s suitability for community service.
Detective Garda Brian McKenna told prosecuting counsel, Mr Michael Bowman BL, that Ormsby had been employed by Mr O’Connell to manage the banking and day-to-day running of PHS which provided hygiene services to businesses around Dublin.
Ormsby was paid €300 a week, given a directorship and 10% share in the company, mobile phone and a company car.
Det Gda McKenna said an audit in 2003 turned up some discrepancies in the accounts and an investigation revealed that Ormsby had written his name on several cheques payable to PHS from customers and had lodged them to his bank account instead of the company account.
He said Ormsby had no previous convictions, had never come to garda attention before or since and had paid Mr O’Connell €45,000 in the settlement of a civil case last year. He said Ormsby had resigned as a director and returned all company property when the thefts came to light.
Det Gda McKenna agreed with defence counsel, Mr John Byrne BL, that Ormsby had co-operated with the garda investigation and had provided all relevant documentation to Mr O’Connell at an early stage.
Mr Byrne said Mr O’Connell and Ormsby were the only employees of the company which "operated out of the back of a van" and cheques from customers would be sent to both their houses on the understanding that they would be lodged to the company account in Bank of Ireland, Killester.
He said Ormsby "was not living the high life" and had used some of the money to pay business expenses such as petrol and phone bills. He described the fraud as "basic and amateurish."
Mr Byrne said Ormsby was a family man who had learned a lesson and had since found new work as a carpenter. He was very remorseful and asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence.
