Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5386Fraud (dishonest use of debit and credit cards) · Co. Donegal

Barman charged with fraud against Letterkenny travel agency

Alan McDaid, a 48-year-old Irish barman with an address in Alcudia, Majorca, Spain, is charged with defrauding Liberty Travel, an independent travel agency in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, of €4,637 for four hotel bookings made on separate dates in July and August 2017. Debit and credit cards belonging to two individuals were allegedly used dishonestly to pay for the accommodation, and the resulting chargebacks left the agency out of pocket. McDaid first appeared at Letterkenny District Court on 24 July 2024, where the DPP directed that the case could be dealt with summarily on a guilty plea only, but the defence is contesting this. The case was adjourned to 14 October 2024 for preparation of a book of evidence, and legal aid was granted to the accused.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Alan McDaid, 48, is charged with defrauding Liberty Travel of a total of €4,637 for four hotel bookings.
  • Debit and credit cards belonging to two individuals were dishonestly used to pay for the accommodation.
  • The transactions were subject to chargeback, leaving the travel agency out of pocket.
  • One booking was €1,254 for four nights at a five-star hotel in Santorini, Greece.
  • One booking was €693 for one night at a five-star hotel in London.
  • Two bookings were made at hotels in Majorca: €1,556 for four nights and €1,134 for three nights.
Where
Liberty Travel is an independent travel agency based at Riverside Retail Park, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When
The charges relate to four separate dates in July and August 2017.
Charges
The charges are brought under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
In court
  • McDaid appeared at Letterkenny District Court on 24 July 2024.
  • The DPP directed that the matters could be dealt with summarily in the District Court on a guilty plea only, but the defence is contesting the case.
  • The case was adjourned to 14 October 2024 for preparation of a book of evidence.
Other details
  • Legal aid was granted to the accused.
  • McDaid has an address in Alcudia, Majorca, Spain.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcDaid is charged with duping Liberty Travel out of €4,637 for four hotel bookings (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDebit and credit cards belonging to two individuals were dishonestly used to pay for accommodation (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe transactions were subject to chargeback (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOne booking was €1,254 for four nights at a five-star hotel in Santorini, Greece (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOne booking was €693 for one night at a five-star hotel in London (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOne booking was €1,556 for a four-night stay at a hotel in Majorca (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOne booking was €1,134 for a three-night visit to another hotel in Majorca (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereLiberty Travel is based at Riverside Retail Park, Letterkenny (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe charges relate to four separate dates in July and August 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed the matters could be dealt with summarily in the District Court on a guilty plea only (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe defence is contesting the case (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until 14 October 2024 for preparation of a book of evidence (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted to the accused (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcDaid has an address in Alcudia, Majorca, Spain (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jul2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Barman to stand trial for allegedly conning travel agency out of hotel stays

    First report of the case. McDaid appeared at Letterkenny District Court on 24 July 2024. The DPP directed the matter could be dealt with summarily on a guilty plea only, but the defence is contesting it. Case adjourned to 14 October 2024 for a book of evidence. Legal aid granted.

    accused, Alan McDaid, 48, male, Irish, named, irishAlan McDaid