A CO MEATH man, arrested yesterday and charged with attempting to defraud the Revenue Commissioners in Ennis of over £3 million, is due to appear before Ennis District Court again this morning.
Mr Brendan Doherty (47), with an address at Ballycarron, Enfield, Co Meath, was charged under Section 7 of the Forgeries Act of 1913 with attempting to obtain £3,823,716 from the Revenue Commissioners by forged instruments.
Mr Doherty (alias Mr Eric Byrne) was arrested shortly after 1 p.m. and brought to Ennis Garda station for questioning, where he was formally charged under Section 7 of the Forgeries Act.
At a special sitting of Ennis District Court yesterday afternoon, Det Garda Denis O'Leary from the Criminal Assets Bureau gave evidence of arresting Mr Doherty in Abbey Street, and taking him to the Garda station.
Mr Doherty, a married man, was charged with knowingly and with intent to defraud, endeavouring to obtain a cheque to the value of £3,823,716 from the Revenue Commissioners under or by false instrument, i.e., a false VAT return for the period March April 1997 in the name of Unirock Enterprises Ltd, contrary to the Forgery Act.
Mr Doherty, who was not represented in court, requested free legal aid. Justice Albert O'Dea remanded him in custody to Limerick Prison to appear again before Ennis District Court this morning.