A former Fás assistant manager, who defrauded the agency of more than €600,000 over five years, has been given a four-year sentence.
James Brooke Tyrrell (54) of Greystones, Co Wicklow had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine sample counts out of “80 counts on the indictment” on dates between 2003 and 2008.
Judge Patrick McCartan handed down a four-year sentence with the last two years suspended.
The judge said the court must send out a message to others in a position of trust that if they breach that trust, they must expect the full rigour of the law to be brought to bear on them
The court heard all the money defrauded from Fás had been spent, none of it had been repaid and the only asset Brooke Tyrrell had left was the family home.
It also heard Brooke Tyrrell was now being investigated by the revenue commissioners and Fás has indicated it is going to pursue him for the return of his pension.
Breffni Gordon defending said his client “did not have a reserve of funds” and that he had been earning €50,000 and living a lifestyle which “couldn’t be supported” on that.
The money had been used for going on foreign trips, house improvements and “perhaps a better car”, Mr Gordon told the court.
He said he had expressed remorse, offered his apologies and acknowledges the damage he has caused.