Fraud trial jury to begin deliberations tomorrow
The jury in the £151,000 alleged insurance fraud conspiracy trial is scheduled to begin its deliberations tomorrow at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Joseph Matthews has completed most of his charge to the jury of four women and seven men and will conclude it tomorrow morning, day 14 of the hearing.
Mr James Murphy, aged 44, a lorry driver of Main Street, Castlebellingham, Co Louth and Mr Desmond McGonigle, aged 58, a retired garda of Knockvicar, Boyle, Co Roscommon, deny involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the Guardian/PMPA (now AXA) by falsely pretending a traffic accident occurred at Annaduff, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim on January 28, 1996.
The jury has been told they are alleged to have conspired together and with others including businessman Mr Michael Byrne of Sligo Road, Longford; Mr Michael McDonald, Rathcor, Riverstown, Dundalk, a director of Portfleet Ltd, owners of the Scania transporter, driven by Mr Murphy; and Mr Jeremiah O'Donovan, of Fairview Terrace, Birr, who was the Rover driver.
Mr Murphy received £15,000 for personal injuries arising of the alleged accident, while Mr O'Donovan received £18,000 for the alleged loss of a new Rover car.
Portfleet Ltd had its claims for losses in connection with two Scania tractor units settled for £101,000.
Other payments were made to legal advisors dealing with the claims.
