This article is from page 2 of the 2014-10-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
A MAN convicted of carrying out an unauthorised charity collection in Ennis has received two-month prison sentence. Judge Patrick Durcan imposed the sentence on father of three, Michael Ward (42), for an offence he called “thievery and roguery at its worst”. “It f ies completely in the face of the generosity of people in this county. It is a complete abuse,” the Judge said.
At Ennis District Court on Friday, Mr Ward, with an address at 12 Gilmartin Road, Tuam, Galway, pleaded guilty to holding an unauthorised collection contrary to Section 3 of the Street to House Collections Act, 1962.
Garda Brian Jackman of Ennis Garda Station told the court he observed Mr Ward at a stand set up on Parnell Street on September 14, 2013. He was selling scratch cards for the Hanly Centre – a Dun Laoghaire based alcohol addiction charity.
The court heard the permit for the collection had expired on September 6.Garda Jackman said the name on the permit was covered with brown sticky tape.
Garda Jackman said when he removed the tape, the name was of a John Ward. Garda Jackman conf scated all property including the collection bucket, which contained € 4.34.
Garda Jackman said he attempted to make contact with a representative of the Hanly Centre in Dun Laoghaire but was unable to do so.
He said from having spoken to the other gardaí in connection with similar incidents, the person was described as “evasive” and hard to contact.
Judge Patrick Durcan noted the permit had been issued by a Judge in the Dublin District Court.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said it is possible for charities to obtain permits in Dublin and use them around the country.
Mr Ward, an unemployed man, has eight previous convictions, mainly for public order offences.
He told the court he was asked by a friend named John Ward to carry out the collection.
“When I found out I was dealt with underhanded, I said I wanted out”, Mr Ward said.
“He was a friend. He’s no longer a friend,” he said of John Ward.
Under cross-examination from Garda Jackman, Michael Ward said he came to Ennis with John Ward.
Garda Jackman told the court he encountered John Ward on the same day a few feet away on Market Street selling lottery tickets for the Animal Ark charity.
Addressing Michael Ward’s solici- tor Tara Godfrey, Judge Patrick Durcan said, “I’m not at all impressed…. Ms Godfrey, I don’t like this case.”
Ms Godfrey told the court her client had instructed her to enter and early plea.
Urging the court to be lenient, Ms Godfrey said Mr Ward had come under the inf uence of another person. Judge Durcan said people in Ireland are very generous when it comes to supporting local, national and international causes and charities.
“I do not like this type of offence. It has to be stamped out”, he added.
Imposing a two month prison sentence, Judge Durcan said;“
This type of behaviour is something that is bubbling beneath the surface and is much more serious than appears”. Recognizance’s were f xed at Mr Ward’s own bond of € 500 and independent surety of € 1000 to be lodged in court, in the event of an appeal.