Ireland Kilkenny hurling coach withdraws appeal against sentence for €42,000 fraud
James Meagher, 39, of Graigueswood, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, a hurling coach, pleaded guilty to fraudulently taking €42,000 from a man he knew from childhood, who believed he was investing in a sliotar business that did not exist. The payments were made between April and November 2019. Judge Elva Duffy at Kilkenny Circuit Court imposed a two-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, leaving six months in jail, and postponed activation until June 1 because of Meagher's college commitments. Meagher lodged an appeal against the severity of the sentence on 18 April, and on 7 June 2023 his counsel told the Court of Appeal that he had instructed his legal team to withdraw it.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced7 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James Meagher, 39, of Graigueswood, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to fraudulently taking €42,000 from the injured party, a man he knew from childhood.
- Where
- Meagher was sentenced at Kilkenny Circuit Court.
- When
- The injured party made an initial payment of €10,000 in April 2019.
- Further payments were made until June 2019, with a final payment in November 2019.
- Cause
- The injured party believed he was investing in a sliotar business that did not exist.
- Charges
- Meagher was charged under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, and seven other offences were taken into consideration.
- In court
- Meagher lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence on 18 April.
- At a brief Court of Appeal hearing on 7 June 2023, his counsel Sarah Jane Comerford BL said he had instructed his legal team to withdraw the appeal.
- Sentence
- Judge Elva Duffy imposed a two-year sentence and suspended the final 18 months, so Meagher was sentenced to six months in jail.
- Activation of the prison sentence was postponed until June 1 because of Meagher's college commitments.
- Other details
- Meagher had coached the Kilkenny minor hurling team and was part of the Ballyhale Shamrocks backroom staff.
- In a victim impact statement, the injured party said his self-esteem had been shattered.
- One report gives the fraud as over €40,000 in its headline, while the article text gives €42,000.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMeagher pleaded guilty to fraudulently taking €42,000 from the injured party. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe sentencing took place at Kilkenny Circuit Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe injured party made an initial payment of €10,000 in April 2019. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenFurther payments were made until June 2019, with a final payment in November 2019. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe injured party believed he was investing in a sliotar business that did not exist. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeMeagher was charged under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeSeven other offences were taken into consideration. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMeagher lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence on 18 April. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtAt a brief Court of Appeal hearing, Meagher's counsel said he had instructed his legal team to withdraw the appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Elva Duffy imposed a two-year sentence and suspended the final 18 months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceMeagher was sentenced to six months in jail. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceActivation of the prison sentence was postponed until June 1 because of Meagher's college commitments. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMeagher had coached the Kilkenny minor hurling team and was part of the Ballyhale Shamrocks backroom staff. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe injured party said in a victim impact statement that his self-esteem had been shattered. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jun2023GAA coach involved with All-Ireland winners in court over sliotar business €40k fraud
Court of Appeal hearing on 7 June 2023 where Meagher withdrew his appeal against severity. Adds the appeal lodged on 18 April, the withdrawal and the sentence details from the earlier Circuit Court hearing.
convicted, James Meagher, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meaghervictim, male