Mayo man gets suspended sentence for defrauding EU
A Mayo man has received a four and a half year suspended sentence and a fine of £2,500 for defrauding the European Union at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
47-year-old Sean Irving from Meadowpark, Swinford, pleaded guilty to five sample counts of larceny, fraudulent conversion of cheques and falsification of accounts at the EU's Dublin office between 1995 and 1997.
Irving started to commit the offences when he moved from Brussels to Dublin because he had mortgages on two houses and was in arrears.
The money was later recovered in a civil action by the EU.
Judge Yvonne Murray said the defendant's guilty plea was 'invaluable' as it had saved the State the time and cost of a trial.
Irving apologised for his actions, saying he was ashamed of what he had done.
