SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR DEFRAUDING CITY BANK

Date Published: 21-Oct-2011

A 30 year old man has received a nine month suspended sentenced for impersonating a friend to withdraw money from a city bank.

Ian O'Sullivan with an address at 54 Cherry Lawn, Church Road, Blackrock, Cork city appeared at Galway District Court.

Garda Paul McNulty gave evidence that O'Sullivan had dishonestly induced an AIB official on the Tuam Road in the city, to withdraw €650 from his friend's account, on 28th February this year.

The court also heard that he had signed a withdrawal slip in the name of his friend to access the funds without ID, having built up a knowledge of the account holder's number, address details and date of birth.

Defence Solicitor Sean Acton said O'Sullivan had a gambling problem and had immediately admitted to defrauding the bank and his friend, whom he had grown up with in Fermoy.

Judge Mark Fahy imposed a nine month prison sentence, suspended for two years, on condition O'Sullivan is of good behaviour and stays away from Galway city and county.