This article is from page 14 of the 2014-11-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
AN ELECTRICIAN has pleaded guilty to theft offences arising from the unauthorised use of a bank card for online gambling.
Killian Torpey (26) used a bankcard belonging to his girlfriend’s mother for a series of online transactions in 2012.
At Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday, Mr Torpey, with an address at Mahonburg, Inch, pleaded guilty to 15 sample counts of theft between June 14, 2012, and November 22, 2012.
He admitted stealing various cash amounts totalling € 1,900 from Mary McNamara at a place unknown within the State. Mr Torpey was originally charged with 155 counts of theft of cash amounts totalling € 23,474.
In court, prosecuting counsel, Stephen Coughlan told the court the pleas of guilty to the sample counts were acceptable to the DPP on a “full facts basis”. Counsel said the sen- tencing hearing would be lengthy as the facts of the case would take some time to hear.
Defence counsel Lorcan Connolly said considerable admissions will be made and maybe a “global approach” could be adopted at the sentencing hearing.
Mr Connolly added, “the offences in this case in essence relate to the unauthorised use of a bank card for online betting and the injured party is the mother of Mr Torpey’s girlfriend”. The court heard Mr Torpey is a qualif ed electrician with no pre vious convictions. Counsel said he would be calling his client’s employer to give evidence but said this person was currently in America. He said he understood Ms McNamara is also out of the country. “It’s somewhat of an unusual case, as you have may have gathered so far Judge,” Mr Connolly added. Judge Gerald Keys adjourned the case to November 18 when a date for sentencing will be f xed. Mr Torpey was remanded on continuing bail.