A Wexford man extradited from Hungary for alleged embezzlement appeared in Gorey District Court today charged with defrauding a local woman of more than €36,000.
Mr William Deegan (61), a former auctioneer and insurance broker, originally from New Ross, Co Wexford, faced two charges of "fraudulently converting" funds for his own benefit more than ten years ago.
Resisting bail, Mr Kevin O'Doherty for the DPP, said he believed Mr Deegan was aware gardaí were looking for him for a number of years and there was a possibility of the defendant absconding.
But the defendant's solicitor, Mr Simon Kennedy, said his client had lived openly, and had been available to gardai for interview. Mr Kennedy said there was nothing covert about Mr Deegan's life and nor had anything covert been suggested other than that he went to Germany and had two passports, one Irish and one British.
Judge Conal Gibbons said he did not think it was correct to say Mr Deegan absconded from the jurisdiction and granted bail subject to conditions including that Mr Deegan surrender his passports and sign on twice daily at a Garda station. Bail was set at €300, with an independent surety of €90,000, a third of which had to be lodged in cash with the court.
Legal aid was granted to the defendant who was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear before New Ross District Court next Tuesday.