Saturday 31 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. 19142Fraud · Co. Limerick

Man pays for car with cheques from dormant account

Richard Cotter (28), a man from Castleisland, County Kerry, is alleged to have paid for a car with two cheques drawn on a dormant account in his father's name, after a cash deposit, in a deal with Sean McCarthy of Bruree, Limerick, who was selling the car for €8,000. The cheques were worth €6,900 and the account had no funds to back them. The case was reported on 18 November 2023 after a hearing at Limerick District Court in Kilmallock, where Judge Patricia Harney adjourned the matter to 22 March 2024 to allow full compensation to be paid, with €2,000 lodged in court as part compensation. The judge warned that there would be only one adjournment and the full amount must be paid by that date, so the latest development is that the case stands adjourned to 22 March 2024 with no sentence reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The car was being sold for €8,000.
Where
The car was bought from Sean McCarthy of Bruree, a Limerick owner.
When
The case was reported on 18 November 2023 after a hearing at Limerick District Court sitting in Kilmallock; the incident date is not stated.
Investigation
Both cheques were drawn on a dormant account in the name of the accused's father, which had no funds to back them.
Charges
Richard Cotter is alleged to have paid a cash deposit and then given the seller two cheques worth €6,900 to pay for the car.
In court
  • Judge Patricia Harney adjourned the matter until 22 March 2024 to allow full compensation to be paid.
  • The judge warned the accused there would be one adjournment only and the full amount must be paid by that date.
  • The accused's solicitor, Michael O'Donnell, lodged €2,000 in cash in court as part compensation.
Other details
  • Richard Cotter is 28 and from Castleisland, County Kerry.
  • Richard Cotter has previous convictions, two for forgery and one for detection, according to Inspector Gearoid Thompson.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported; the matter was adjourned to 22 March 2024.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe car was being sold for €8,000. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe car was bought from a Limerick owner. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe car was bought from Sean McCarthy of Bruree. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationBoth cheques were drawn on a dormant account in the name of the accused's father, which had no funds to back them. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe accused used two cheques drawn on a dormant account to pay for the car. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe accused gave the seller two cheques worth €6,900 after paying a cash deposit. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter until 22 March 2024 to allow for full compensation to be paid. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge warned the accused there would be one adjournment only and the full amount must be paid by that date. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe accused has previous convictions, two for forgery and one for detection. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe accused's solicitor lodged €2,000 in cash in court as part compensation. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Nov2023
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Convicted forger used dud cheques in car deal

    First report of this case. Adds the adjournment to 22 March 2024 for full compensation, €2,000 lodged in court as part compensation, and the accused's previous convictions for forgery and one for detection.

    accused, Richard Cotter, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Cottervictim, Sean McCarthy, irish (judged from name)Sean McCarthy