Friday 30 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. 13984Acting as a director while disqualified · Co. Dublin

Celbridge man given suspended sentence for acting as company director while disqualified

Tom Colton (49) of Celbridge, Co. Kildare, was charged with acting as a director of Grá agus Solas ULC while disqualified, an offence alleged to have taken place between August 2016 and May 2018. The company, based at Unit 3, The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Park, Nangor Road in Dublin, provided celebrant services for weddings, funerals and baby naming ceremonies. Following an investigation by the Corporate Enforcement Authority, Colton admitted the offence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He received a nine-month sentence, suspended in full, and a 10-year company director disqualification, as reported on 11 April 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Colton acted as a director of Grá agus Solas ULC while disqualified.
  • The company provided celebrant services for weddings, funerals and baby naming ceremonies.
Where
The company was based at Unit 3, The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Park, Nangor Road in Dublin.
When
The offence is alleged to have taken place between August 2016 and May 2018.
Other details
  • Colton is 49 and of Celbridge, Co. Kildare, and is described as a former rugby player and accountant.
  • Colton was automatically disqualified for five years in 2014 following a theft conviction.
Investigation
The charges followed an investigation by the Corporate Enforcement Authority.
Charges
Colton admitted acting in a manner or capacity prohibited by a disqualification order.
In court
Colton pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and the court heard this was the first prosecution for acting as a director following an automatic disqualification.
Sentence
Colton was given a nine-month sentence suspended in full and a 10-year company director disqualification; a photo caption describes him as jailed, but the article text says the sentence was suspended.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatColton acted as a director of Grá agus Solas ULC while disqualified. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe company provided celebrant services for weddings, funerals and baby naming ceremonies. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe company was based at Unit 3, The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Park, Nangor Road in Dublin. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe offence took place between August 2016 and May 2018. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe charges followed an investigation by the Corporate Enforcement Authority. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeColton admitted acting in a manner or capacity prohibited by a disqualification order. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe court heard this was the first prosecution of acting as a director following an automatic disqualification. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a nine-month sentence, suspended in full, and a 10-year company director disqualification. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherColton had received an automatic five-year disqualification in 2014 after a theft conviction. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Apr2025
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    Bizarre case of Kildare man in court for running spiritual weddings and funerals

    Reports the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court plea and sentence: a nine-month sentence suspended in full and a 10-year company directorship disqualification. Adds the company's Dublin address, the Corporate Enforcement Authority investigation, and the background theft conviction and original disqualification.

    convicted, Tom Colton, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tom Colton