Man charged with using fake receipts to obtain cash couldn't make it to Longford due to Storm Chandra

A 33 year-old man who stands accused of having duped two shop assistants into giving him refunds of just over €700 by providing them with fake receipts in addition to bottles of alcohol he had taken while in store, has been remanded to appear before Longford District Court again on March 3. 

Thomas McDonagh, who lives at 22 Berryfield Crescent, Finglas, Dublin 11, is said to have carried out the thefts on the same day, April 25 2025, at Duffy’s SuperValu in Edgeworthstown, where he obtained a refund of €525, and in SuperValu in Longford town, where he received a refund of €180.

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When asked why Mr McDonagh was not in court, his barrister Aileen O’Gara, explained her client, who was living in Dublin, could not make it to Longford that morning due to Storm Chandra the night before.

Replied Judge Owens, “Ah now! When did he decide the storm was going to prevent him from getting here?” 

The judge went on to point out that Mr McDonagh’s story “sounded like an excuse”, particularly as the defendant had also missed a previous hearing on November 18. 

Outlining the facts of the case, Sergeant for the state, Enda Daly, said, “It is alleged that at Duffy’s SuperValu on the date in question, the defendant received a refund of €525 after going back to the store with a fake receipt. He didn’t hand over the receipt. He handed back €525 of wine which he had selected earlier in the off license so he had made a gain of €525. The person at the till assumed it was genuine and handed him €525.” 

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According to the charges, Mr McDonagh entered both SuperValu supermarkets and “dishonestly by deception” induced the shop assistants into giving him the refunds. 

With regard to SuperValu in the Hazelwood Shopping Centre - the prosecuting Garda for which was Eoin Mulheir of Longford Garda Station - Mr McDonagh stands accused of having attended the in-store off-license where he picked up four bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne to the total value of €180.99. 

It is alleged he then proceeded to the checkout area where he told the cashier that he had been speaking with the manager and that he was due a refund on the items in his possession. The cashier provided the refund as requested.

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With regard to Duffy’s SuperValu in Edgeworthstown - the prosecuting Garda for which was Padraic F Mcweeney - Mr McDonagh attended at the till with wine that “had not been purchased” and was to the value of €525, and duped the cashier to refund him that amount. 

Thomas McDonagh was remanded in his absence to the March 3 sitting of Longford District Court.