A 59-YEAR-OLD man yesterday appeared in court in a “graves for sale” case in which he is accused of the theft and larceny of more than €20,000 in connection with the sale of burial plots in an east Clare graveyard.
Seán Leamy, Main Street, Tulla, Co Clare, appeared at Shannon District Court in connection with 50 charges concerning the theft and larceny of €20,339 from Clare County Council.
The charges relate to the sale of burial plots at Clonlea graveyard, Kilkishen, Co Clare, over a 10-year period. An employee of Clare County Council, Mr Leamy was responsible for the administration of Clonlea graveyard in the east Clare village of Kilkishen, where he was employed as graveyard registrar during the period in question, September 1999 to June 2009.
Det Garda John Mulvihill said he arrested and cautioned the man in relation to the charges at Ennis courthouse at 9.25am yesterday.
In response to being read the first charge after caution, Mr Leamy said: “I took the money, but I gave it all back again.” Det Garda Mulvihill said that for the following 48 charges, Mr Leamy responded “same as before”.
The 50th charge alleges that on dates between June 1st, 2009, and June 30th, 2009, at Main Street, Tulla, Mr Leamy dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself/causing loss to another, defaced, concealed or falsified an official Clare County Council cash receipt book and official burial register for accounting purposes.
Det Garda Mulvihill said that in response to that charge, Mr Leamy said: “I don’t know.” The counts show the amounts which Mr Leamy is charged with the theft or larceny of rose steadily during the 10-year period.
Solicitor for Mr Leamy, William Cahir, said he had no question for the detective garda and applied for legal aid in the case.
Insp Tom Kennedy said gardaí were not objecting to bail and Mr Leamy could be allowed bail on his own bond of €500.
Insp Kennedy said the case could be adjourned to Killaloe District Court to December 7th for the preparation of a book of evidence to allow the case go forward to the Circuit Court.
Judge Mangan remanded Mr Leamy on bail to reappear before court on December 7th.
