This article is from page 6 of the 2006-03-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A COUNCILLOR has been sent forward to stand trial in the Circuit Court next month in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to Galway County Council.
Cllr. Michael Fahy, who resigned from Fianna Fáil a year and a half ago when this matter first emerged, but who continues to serve as an independent member of Galway County Council, appeared before Kinvara District Court on Monday.
Supt. Paul Mockler told Judge Joseph Mangan that a Book of Evidence had been served.
Fahy, who is pleading not guilty, was remanded on his own bail of €100. He will appear before Galway Circuit Court on April 25.
Fahy, a poll-topper in the last two local elections and a member of Galway County Council for the past 25 years, faces eight charges under the Larceny and Theft and Fraud Offences Acts.
They include allegations that in 2001 and 2002, with intent to defraud, he caused amounts of £5,624 and £7,055 to be paid by Galway County Council. The money was allegedly paid to a fencing company for his own use or benefit for works included in those sums to the value of £748 and £3,702 respectively, in respect of a Community Involvement Scheme approved by the council by falsely pretending that the works had been approved by the council. He is further charged with attempting to dishonestly misappropriate €7,523 from the council in 2003. Another charge alleges he attempted to make personal gain by producing or making use of a document, which to his knowledge was false or misleading.