Twenty charged with fraud over ‘staged car crashes’ in Cork

Gardaí have charged 20 people with making fraudulent insurance claims following the latest phase in an investigation into the deliberate staging of car crashes in Cork city and county.

The nine men and 11 women were charged following an investigation into three alleged staged car crashes in Leamlara and Redbarn in East Cork and Model Farm Road in Cork city, all in 2011.

The investigation, codenamed Operation Nascar, has been running for a number of years in Cork city and county. On Thursday the latest group of accused appeared at Midleton District Court.

Inspector Tony O'Sullivan told judge Brian Sheridan that the DPP had directed trial by indictment in the case of two accused, each of whom is charged with three deception offences.

Brian Carroll (41) from Blueberry Fields, Broomfield, Midleton and Tommy Maher (52) from Scarteen, Newmarket are each charged with three counts of causing loss or making gain by deception

They are both charged with causing loss or making gain of three sums of money totalling €165,623 by deception contrary to Section 6 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001.

All other 18 accused are each charged with one count of causing loss or making gain by deception of smaller amounts contrary to Section 6 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001.

Amongst those charged yesterday with one offence each, contrary to the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, were Ian Gosnell (46) and Veronica Gosnell (43), both of Maple Lane, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork.

Also charged with one offence each were Peter Lonergan (45) and Chloe O'Meara (22) both with addresses at Killeagh Gardens, Killeagh and Lesley McCarthy (25) of Clonmult Terrace, Midleton

Joseph Mulcahy (45) and Merlyn Mulcahy (43), both of Mount Farran, Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork were also each charged with one offence as a result of the investigation.

Also charged with one offence each were Margaret O'Leary (31) of St Colman's Tce, Cloyne and Andrew Walsh (27) and Hayley Walsh (24) both with addresses at Oakwood Lodge, Midleton.

Margaret Devine (47) of Castlebrook, Conna, Rory Hannaway (30) of Banogue, Midleton and Dermot Moynihan (52) of Millfield Cottages, Old Mallow Road, Cork were all charged with the same offence.

Sadie O'Meara (26) of Blueberry Fields, Broomfield, Midleton and Bridget Roche (45) of Comeragh Park, the Glen, Cork were also each charged with one fraud offence by investigating gardai.

And three other accused, Tim Murphy (46), Wilaiwan Murphy (45) and Thida Unpong (24) all of Marian Park, Pouladuff Road, Cork were also each charged with one fraud offence.

Det Garda Danny Holland and Det Garda Cormac Ryan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in respect of all 20 accused and told the court that none made any reply when they were charged.

Judge Sheridan remanded Carroll and Maher on station bail to appear again at Midleton District Court on September 3rd for service of the book of evidence against them.

He remanded the other 18 defendants also on station bail to appear again at Midleton District Court on September 10th when he will decide on jurisdiction and where their cases are to be heard.