A motor and coach operator has admitted in court that he made false accusations of fraud against a local garda.
Brendan J. McKeogh, Killucan, Co Westmeath, in an abject apology read out in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday, admitted he wrote to the Garda Commissioner wrongly alleging Garda Patsy Daly, Killucan, had ripped off the local working men's club and community centre of more than €250,000.
The president of the Circuit Court, Mr Justice Esmond Smyth, had heard that McKeogh had asked the commissioner to investigate Garda Daly's activities as chairman of the club and, in particular, how he allegedly spent almost €100,000 on improvements to his home. "I acknowledge that all of the allegations were without substance or foundation and were entirely untrue," McKeogh told the court.
In the apology read by his counsel, Mr Éanna Molloy, he unreservedly withdrew the allegations. "I also wish to publicly acknowledge the hurt, distress and upset which was caused to Mr Daly, his wife, Winifred, and his family, for which I unreservedly apologise," his apology read.
Mr Pat O'Connell, counsel for Garda Daly, said the case had been settled after a day-long hearing on the basis of the public apology and McKeogh's payment of undisclosed damages and legal costs. He asked for a libel action taken by Garda Daly to be adjourned to allow full implementation of the settlement.
Mr O'Connell, outlining the case earlier, said that in a letter to the Commissioner, McKeogh alleged that Garda Daly as chairman of the club had run bingo nights and hidden profits of up to €600 a night while showing profits of only €15 a night. McKeogh alleged more than €250,000 was missing and had asked the Commissioner to appoint a Garda Fraud Squad team to investigate.
Mr O'Connell said the evidence gathered by an investigative team of gardaí had been forwarded to the Garda Complaints Board which had found McKeogh's allegations vexatious and refused to deal further with them.
Garda Daly said he did not know why McKeogh should make such false allegations against him.