Ireland Property developer jailed over forged documents in Wicklow land sale case
Forged documents bearing the signature of Jean Duggan, a woman whose home is in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, were linked to a proposed 2014 sale of land to a pension fund belonging to Richard Roche. A Garda investigation began in August 2020 after Duggan reported her belief that her signature had been forged, and Conor Clarkson, a 60-year-old man, was arrested and gave a voluntary statement denying any criminal offence. Following an eight-day trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court, Clarkson was found guilty of four counts of creating and using forged documents and acquitted of four others, while co-accused Paul Wrynn was found not guilty on two counts. Judge Patrick Quinn sentenced Clarkson to two years in prison with the final nine months suspended, reported as 15 months in custody, in a report dated 29 February 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Conor Clarkson, 60, was found guilty of four counts of creating and using forged documents.
- The convicted forgeries were a statutory declaration and a death certificate made to appear as bearing the genuine signature of Jean Duggan.
- Where
- The land and right of way concerned are near Jean Duggan's home in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
- When
- The forged documents relate to a proposed sale of land in 2014.
- Cause
- The forged documents were needed to allow an extension of a right of way on a lane near Jean Duggan's home.
- Other details
- The forged documents arose from a proposed 2014 sale of land owned by Clarkson and another individual to a pension fund belonging to Richard Roche.
- Clarkson had no previous convictions, and Jean Duggan said in a victim impact statement that the case had a large psychological and financial impact on her.
- Investigation
- A Garda investigation began in August 2020 after Jean Duggan reported her belief that her signature had been forged.
- After his arrest, Clarkson gave a voluntary statement to gardaí denying any involvement in a criminal offence.
- Charges
- Clarkson was acquitted of four other counts of making and using false instruments in relation to the same 2014 land deal.
- Co-accused Paul Wrynn was found not guilty on two charges of creating false documents by signing them as a witness.
- In court
- The trial was an eight-day trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Patrick Quinn sentenced Clarkson to two years in prison, suspending the final nine months on condition he remain bound to the peace on release; one report gives the term as 15 months.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatConor Clarkson, 60, was found guilty of four charges of creating and using forged documents. (irishtimes.com)
- whatClarkson was convicted of creating and using a forged statutory declaration and death certificate. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe forged documents were needed to allow an extension of a right of way on a lane near Jean Duggan's home in Enniskerry. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA Garda investigation began in August 2020 after Jean Duggan reported her belief that her signature had been forged. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationClarkson denied any involvement in a criminal offence when he gave a voluntary statement to gardaí after his arrest. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeClarkson was acquitted of four other counts of making and using false instruments in relation to the same land deal in 2014. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCo-accused Paul Wrynn was found not guilty on two charges of creating false documents by signing them as a witness. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial was an eight-day trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Patrick Quinn sentenced Clarkson to two years in prison and suspended the final nine months on condition he remain bound to the peace on release. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe forged documents arose from the proposed 2014 sale of land owned by Clarkson and another individual to a pension fund belonging to Richard Roche. (irishtimes.com)
- otherClarkson had no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJean Duggan said in a victim impact statement that the case had a large psychological and financial impact on her. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Feb2024Property developer and Cheltenham winning horse owner jailed for 15 months on forgery charges
Reports the conviction and sentencing of Conor Clarkson, the trial outcome including acquittals, the co-accused's verdict, and the victim impact statement from Jean Duggan.
convicted, Conor Clarkson, 60, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor Clarksonvictim, Jean Duggan, 78, female, irish (judged from name)Jean Dugganaccused, Paul Wrynn, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Wrynn