A Kilkenny garage-owner yesterday admitted forging invoices for replacement car windscreens. The amounts invoiced were then paid to customers by insurance companies.
James Farrell, owner of The Railway Garage in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to the fraud at Castlecomer District Court.
The court heard the windscreens were not broken and were never replaced.
Two garage customers also admitted their role in the scam. Thomas Dunne, Massford, Castlecomer, pleaded guilty to getting £213.75 in September 2000 and £222.75 in October 2001 from Axa Insurance by falsely pretending that a car windscreen was broken and obtaining an invoice from The Railway Garage.
Justin Ring, Barrack Street, Castlecomer, admitted getting £279.56 from Royal and Sun Alliance by similar means in February 2000.
Sgt Peter McConnon said he investigated the matter after getting a complaint from Axa Insurance.
The company had employed an independent assessor who found that the original windscreen was still in Dunne's car. The invoice for a replacement windscreen had been supplied by The Railway Garage.
Farrell admitted to gardaí he wrote a false invoice so that Dunne could claim for a windscreen which was never fitted. He also admitted writing a similar invoice for Ring.
Dunne had already repaid Axa. Ring had not reimbursed Royal and Sun.
Solicitor Mr Michael Condon said the garage-owner was very embarrassed and worried about his reputation. He had made no financial gain from the fraud.
Adjourning all three cases until July 15th, Judge Mary Martin ordered Farrell to pay €500 to Victim Support in the meantime. She ordered Dunne to pay €500 to the Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre, while Ring must pay €400 to Royal and Sun Alliance and €250 to the St Vincent de Paul Society in Castlecomer.