A man who allegedly pretended to be a court welfare officer offering to get Patrick Gillane, husband of the murder victim, Mrs Philomena Gillane, out of prison for £5,000 has again been remanded in custody by Galway District Court.
Mr Bernard Hassett (52), from College Park, Athlone, is charged with attempting to defraud Mr Sean Duffy, Glenbrack, Gort, of £5,000 on May 10th last, by falsely pretending he was a probation and welfare officer with the Department of Justice sent to obtain a £5,000 surety for the temporary release of Gillane.
Mr Hassett is also charged with defrauding Mr Patrick Forde, of Currandulla, Co Galway, of £3,000, by saying he was a representative of the Department of Justice and he was going to have his son released from prison.
Judge Thomas O'Donnell remanded Mr Hassett in custody to appear before the court again on October 6th.