Former Galway camogie manager jailed for embezzling €190,000 from friend
Legal counsel for Noel Finn said the crime seems to have been a 'once in a lifetime event'. Finn, they said, was previously of good character and had committed no offence since. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
A former Galway senior camogie manager has been imprisoned after duping his friend out of €190,000.
Noel Finn of Donaree, Cappatagle, Ballinasloe, was sentenced at Galway circuit court by Judge Brian O'Callaghan to three years in prison, with the last nine months suspended.
The court heard that Finn had gained the trust of an East Cork man who had been a friend of his. He had persuaded the man to make investments totalling €190,000 on three dates in 2013.
Inspector Clodagh O'Sullivan of Anglesea Street Garda Station in Cork gave evidence that she had spoken to the victim in the case on Wednesday evening and she was told that no attempt had been made to repay the man the money he had given to Finn.
Barrister Bernard Madden said the crime seems to have been a "once in a lifetime event". Finn, he said, was previously of good character and had committed no offence since.
Mr Madden said however that the incident had brought shame and disappointment to him and he added that the probation service found that he was at a low risk of re-offending and that it was 11 years since the offences had taken place.
The court was told that he was a single man living with his brother on a small holding. He supplemented his income through the sale of timber.
Judge O'Callaghan said that although Finn had pleaded guilty, his plea had been at the very last opportunity.
He noted that the crime took place "some time ago" but that the impact of it on the victim, a former friend, "was quite exceptional". He said Finn had spent the money on himself.
Judge O'Callaghan said there had been considerable promises made by Finn relating "to reimbursing his victim of the money that he had embezzled from him".
He said that Finn has no interest in compensating this victim and "he has in effect led us all on a merry dance and is making it worse for his victim".
The judge said Finn's level of moral culpability had to be considered, adding that it was "quite significant".
He said that the crime was fuelled by nothing less than greed, that it "was well planned, premeditated, and inflicted on his friend".
Judge O'Callaghan added: "It was the essence of deception."
He added that while Finn cooperated to a certain extent, there were fake emails involved and the funds were used solely for his own personal gain.
The judge acknowledged his guilty plea, that he was a first time offender and that the probation service had stated that he was at a low risk of re-offending. But, he said the court had no option but to impose a custodial sentence.
He said the headline sentence was four years but he handed down a three year sentence, with the final nine months suspended.
