Longford father and son appear in court on fraud charges

65 year old Patrick Donohue of 42 Templemichael Terrace appeared before a recent sitting of Longford District Court alongside his son Martin Donohue. 

Both men currently stand accused of multiple counts of fraud.  

The court first heard that a book of evidence is set to be served on Martin Donohue at the March 24 sitting of the court, with Mr Donohue’s bail to continue in the interim.  

Martin’s father, Mr Patrick Donohue, who has 118 charges against him, appeared before the court in relation to an application by the Gardaí to amend typographical errors on four of his charge sheets. 

Garda Noelle Fahy took to the stand to clarify the correct details, namely in relation to cash amounts Mr Donohue is alleged to have stolen from the Department of Social Protection on the Ballinalee Road in Longford and the dates on which the offences are reported to have occurred.  

On March 31, 2023, at the Department of Social Protection, Mr Donohue was originally alleged to have stolen €253. Garda Fahy said the correct figure was €3,036.

Garda Fahy also amended the date on another charge pertaining to the alleged theft of €924 from the department.

The date on this charge sheet was corrected to January 29, 2021.  

Further amendments were made to a charge arising from October 27, 2017 on which date Mr Donohue is alleged to have stolen cash from the department.

Originally, the figure listed on the charge sheet was €253. This however was amended to the correct figure of €862.

The final amendment was made to a charge from October 30 2015 which was corrected to reflect the charge of a theft of €1,020.

The solicitor acting for both men was Mr John Anderson.