A man who allegedly pretended to be a court welfare officer offering to get Patrick Gillane, husband of murder victim Ms Philomena Gillane, out of prison for £5,000, has been sent forward for trial to Galway Circuit Court.
In December 1998, in the Court of Criminal Appeal, Gillane had an eight-year sentence upheld for soliciting two men to murder his wife.
Mr Bernard Hassett (52), of no fixed abode, appeared before Galway District Court yesterday charged with attempting to defraud Mr Sean Duffy, Glenbrack, Gort, of £5,000 last May 10th by pretending he was a probation officer with the Department of Justice sent to obtain a surety for the temporary release of Gillane.
Mr Hassett is also charged with defrauding Mr Patrick Forde, Currandulla, Co Galway, of £3,000 by pretending he was going to have his son released from prison. Mr Forde's son had been jailed following a traffic accident in which a young girl was killed.
Judge John Garavan said he had no hesitation in sending Mr Hassett for trial. He had already been sent forward on other charges. Hassett will appear before Galway Circuit Court on February 15th on all charges.