Two men who are charged in relation to an alleged fraud involving the Department of Agriculture were remanded on bail when they appeared at Sligo District Court yesterday.
Mr Michael Clarke, of Lismacbryan, Beltra, Co Sligo and Mr Robert Walsh, of Rhue, Tubbercurry, face 26 and 18 charges respectively. Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Garda Noel Leonard and Det. Garda John McHale. The accused, who were arrested at their homes yesterday morning, replied "not guilty" when the charges were put to them. Insp. Gerry Connolly told the court he was looking for a substantial independent bail and that the amount involved in Mr Walsh's case was £181,885 and £128,388 in Mr Clarke's.
Judge Oliver McGuinness remanded both accused in custody with consent to bail of £300 self and one independent surety of £30,000 to appear at Sligo District Court on January 11th. The two men later came up with the required sums and were released on bail.
The charges allege intent to defraud the Minister for Agriculture through the Farm Development Scheme; handling stolen property, being the proceeds of cheques drawn by the Minister; the concealment or disguising of money, being the proceeds of criminal activity on various dates between September 1997 and February 1998.