Ireland Case No. 7808Attempted deception · Co. Carlow · 21 Jan 2022
Two men sentenced for attempted deception at Carlow post office
On 21 January 2022, Declan Haughney, 41, and Gareth Coakley, 37, were accused of attempting to collect a €246 State pension for Haughney's uncle, Peadar Doyle, 66, at Hosey's Post Office on Staplestown Road, Carlow, where Doyle was found dead. The two men were charged with attempted deception of post office worker Margaret O'Toole and attempted theft of the pension. Their trial began at Carlow Circuit Court in July 2023; after initially pleading not guilty, both changed their pleas to guilty on the attempted deception charge. On 21 July 2023, Haughney was sentenced to 2½ years with six months suspended and Coakley to two years with six months suspended, though RTE reported shorter sentences of two years and 18 months respectively.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Feb
6 reports - Convicted19 Jul
2 reports - Sentenced21 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two men attempted to collect a €246 State pension for Peadar Doyle, 66, who was found dead inside the post office.
- Doyle was found dead on the floor in front of the counter; paramedics declared him dead about 40 minutes after CPR was administered.
- Declan Haughney, 41, is the nephew of Peadar Doyle.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Hosey's Post Office on Staplestown Road, Carlow.
- When
- The incident occurred on 21 January 2022.
- Investigation
- CCTV showed the two men dragging Doyle towards the post office; a garda received a call at 11.15am that a man was being dragged along Bridge Street.
- Charges
- Both men were charged with attempted deception of Margaret O'Toole and attempted theft of Doyle's €246 pension under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
- In court
- The trial began at Carlow Circuit Court in July 2023 before Judge Eugene O'Kelly; both initially pleaded not guilty, then changed to guilty on the attempted deception charge.
- Sentence
- Haughney was sentenced to 2½ years with six months suspended (RTE reported two years); Coakley was sentenced to two years with six months suspended (RTE reported 18 months).
- Other details
- Haughney was on bail at the time of the offence and had 55 previous convictions; Coakley had nine previous bench warrants.
- The judge said there was no foul play and that Doyle died on the day of the offence.
82 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDeclan Haughney is the nephew of Peadar Doyle. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí believe the pensioner was already dead when taken into the post office. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo men pleaded not guilty to attempting to steal a pension and attempted deception at a post office in Carlow. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo men pleaded guilty to attempted deception of a post office worker concerning a dead man's pension. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo men pleaded guilty to attempted deception over a E246 pension belonging to Peadar Doyle. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPeadar Doyle was found dead inside the post office. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDeclan Haugney was accused of trying to collect his uncle's weekly pension with the body present. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo men pleaded guilty to attempted deception of a Post Office worker over a dead man's pension. (extra.ie)
- whatTwo men were sentenced to prison for the attempted deception of a post office worker involving a dead man's pension. (rte.ie)
- whatMr Doyle was declared dead by paramedics on the floor in front of the counter about 40 minutes after CPR was administered. (rte.ie)
- whatTwo men were jailed for trying to collect a dead man's pension from a post office in Carlow. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe pensioner was found dead in Hoseys Post Office. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe alleged incident occurred at Hosey's Post Office on the Staplestown Road in Carlow. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe alleged offence is linked to Carlow Post Office. (extra.ie)
- whereThe attempted deception took place at Hosey's post office on Staplestown Road, Carlow town. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident happened at Hosey's Post Office on the Staplestown Road in Carlow. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Hosey's post office on Staplestown Road in Carlow town. (rte.ie)
- whereThe offence occurred at Hosey's Post Office on Staplestown Road. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe pensioner was found dead on January 21 last year. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 21 January 2022 in Hosey's post office in Carlow. (rte.ie)
- whenThe alleged incident occurred on 21 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attempted theft of the pension charge refers to 21 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on January 21 last year. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 21 January. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on 21 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetective Garda evidence of Haughney's arrest, charge and caution was given at Carlow District Court in May 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí learned that no ambulance had been called, despite the excuse given to staff. (rte.ie)
- investigationA garda received a call at 11.15am that a man was being dragged along Bridge Street by two others. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoth charges are contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Haughney was originally charged with two counts of deception in relation to the alleged use of a social welfare card, which were dropped by the State. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDeclan Haughney is charged with deception. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHaughney allegedly tried to collect a €246 pension payment owed to his late uncle. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeGarreth Coakley is charged with attempting to deceive a post office employee out of €246. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBoth charges are under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeDeclan Haughney of Pollerton Road, Carlow was charged with one count of attempted deception of a post office worker and one count of attempting to steal the pension of Peadar Doyle. (rte.ie)
- chargeGareth Coakley of John Sweeney Park in Carlow was charged with the same offences. (rte.ie)
- chargeDeclan Haugney and Gareth Coakley are accused of attempted deception and attempted theft of a pension of €246 belonging to Peadar Doyle. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe case concerns an alleged attempted deception and theft of a pension. (extra.ie)
- chargeBoth men were charged with attempted deception of Margaret O'Toole contrary to common law. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe pair also faced a charge of attempted theft of the old-age pension of Peadar Doyle, totalling €246. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoth men pleaded guilty to attempted deception in relation to the State pension of Peadar Doyle. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAt a previous sitting of Carlow District Court in May, Det Garda Kieran Shields gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mr Haughney. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDPP directions were for the charges to be dealt with in the District Court if there was a guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial of two men accused of deception is beginning at Carlow Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury was due to be sworn in on the afternoon of the report. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial was expected to last six to seven days. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCoakley was remanded on continuing bail. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtTwo men appeared before Carlow Circuit Court charged with attempted deception of a post office worker and attempted theft of a pension. (rte.ie)
- courtHaughney pleaded not guilty to both charges. (rte.ie)
- courtCoakley also pleaded not guilty. (rte.ie)
- courtThe prosecution told the court the case could go on into the following week. (rte.ie)
- courtA jury panel was in the process of being sworn in. (rte.ie)
- courtBoth men appeared before Carlow Circuit Court on a Tuesday as a jury was sworn in for a trial expected to last six or seven days. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBoth men pleaded not guilty before Judge Eugene O'Kelly. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Haugney pleaded not guilty to attempted deception of Margaret O'Toole. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtTwo people are in court. (extra.ie)
- courtBoth men pleaded guilty on Wednesday to the offence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe men changed their pleas on one of the two charges, and the jury was discharged. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBoth men were remanded in custody until Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial was due to start, but both men pleaded guilty and the jury was dismissed. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded both men in custody until Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said it was not possible to determine a precise time of death for Mr Doyle, but that both men were guilty of attempted deception. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge said Haughney blamed post office workers for Mr Doyle's death rather than seeking help. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Circuit Criminal Court in Carlow before Judge Eugene O'Kelly. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge said an outline of the case would be given on Friday, when sentencing would occur. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge asked for a victim impact report from the deceased man's family and a report from a prison governor. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceBoth men will be sentenced on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe offence carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDeclan Haughney was sentenced to two years in prison. (rte.ie)
- sentenceGareth Coakley was sentenced to 18 months in prison. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHaughney was sentenced to 2½ years with the last six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceCoakley was sentenced to two years with the final six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Haughney is being held in Wheatfield Prison. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Coakley was remanded on continuing bail until 18 July. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Haughney has repeatedly indicated at various court dates that he would be contesting the charges. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe trial was due to begin on Wednesday and was expected to run into the following week. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA garda told the court that Mr Coakley had nine previous bench warrants issued against him, the most recent in 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDeclan Haugney has been on remand in Wheatfield Prison, where he is doing a brick-laying course. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCCTV showed the two men dragging Peadar Doyle towards the post office. (rte.ie)
- otherMr Doyle died on the day of the offence, the judge said. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said there was no foul play. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHaughney was on bail at the time of the offence and had 55 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Jul2023Two men jailed for trying to collect dead man’s pension in Carlow
Reports the Circuit Criminal Court guilty pleas, sentences and suspensions for both men, the court evidence and the victim's family statement.
victim, Peadar Doyle, male, irish (judged from name)Peadar Doyleconvicted, Declan Haughney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haughneyconvicted, Gareth Coakley, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Coakley - 21 Jul2023Two men jailed over deception at Carlow post office
Reports the sentences: Haughney two years and Coakley 18 months. Adds CCTV evidence, garda evidence of Haughney's comments to staff, the judge's remarks, and the victim impact statement read by Doyle's sister.
victim, Peadar Doyle, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Peadar Doyleconvicted, Declan Haughney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haughneyconvicted, Gareth Coakley, 37, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Coakley - 19 Jul2023Two Men Plead Guilty To Attempted Deception Of Post Office Worker Over Dead Man's Pension
The article body is empty template code. The only case details are in the headline.
convicted, maleconvicted, male - 19 Jul2023Nephew pleads guilty to attempted deception over dead uncle's pension
Both men pleaded guilty on the day the trial was due to start, the jury was dismissed, and sentencing is set for Friday. Both were remanded in custody until then, and the offence carries a maximum of five years in prison.
accused, Declan Haugney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haugneyaccused, Gareth Coakley, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Coakley - 19 Jul2023Two men plead guilty to attempting to deceive post office worker over dead man’s pension in Carlow
Guilty pleas entered by two co-accused to one of two charges; the trial was discharged and sentencing is due on Friday.
convicted, Declan Haughney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haughneyconvicted, Gareth Coakley, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Coakleyvictim, Peadar Doyle, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Peadar Doylevictim, Margaret O'Toole, irish (judged from name)Margaret O'Toole - 18 Jul2023Two In Court Over Attempted Deception And Theft Of Pension At Carlow Post Office
The article body contains only template code. The headline states that two people are in court over attempted deception and theft of a pension at Carlow Post Office. No existing case matches.
accusedaccused - 18 Jul2023Two plead not guilty over alleged pension theft attempt in Carlow post office
Reports the not guilty pleas and the start of the Carlow Circuit Court trial of two men over an alleged attempt to steal a pension at a post office.
accused, Declan Haugney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haugneyaccused, Gareth Coakley, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Coakleyvictim, Peadar Doyle, male, irish (judged from name)Peadar Doylevictim, Margaret O'Toole, irish (judged from name)Margaret O'Toole - 18 Jul2023Two men appear in court over post office deception
Reports the trial proceedings at Carlow Circuit Court, where both defendants pleaded not guilty and the prosecution indicated the case could run into the following week.
victim, Peadar Doyle, irish (judged from name)Peadar Doyleaccused, Declan Haughney, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haughneyaccused, Gareth Coakley, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Coakley - 18 Jul2023Trial to begin over pensioner discovered to be dead in post office
First report of the Carlow Circuit Court trial of Declan Haughney and Garreth Coakley over the deception incident at Hoseys Post Office; the article adds the trial start, its expected length, the charges and bail status.
accused, Declan Haughney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haughneyaccused, Garreth Coakley, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garreth Coakley - 14 Feb2023Nephew who allegedly took dead uncle’s body to post office remanded in custody
Trial adjourned to 22 February 2023; prosecution counsel Niall Storan said case not ready; Haughney in Wheatfield Prison, Coakley on continuing bail until 18 July; two original deception charges re: social welfare card dropped by the State; DPP directed District Court if guilty plea; Haughney contesting charges.
victim, Peadar Doyle, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Peadar Doylesuspect, Declan Haughney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Haughneysuspect, Gareth Coakley, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Coakley