FORMER WEXFORD GARDA SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS IN PRISON ON THEFT CHARGES
A well-known former Wexford GAA player who pleaded guilty to seven charges of theft while serving as a garda has been handed down a 2 year prison sentence with one year suspended.
Noel Fitzhenry of Springmount, Rathnure, Enniscorthy had pleaded guilty to the charges.
He was stationed at Glynn Garda station, just outside Wexford Town and was found guilty of theft involving several local people in the Glynn community between July 1st, 2009, and June 1st, 2012.
The thefts included sums of 8,000 euro, two separate amounts of 10,000 euro and one of 19,400 euro.
Defence counsel John Walsh told Judge Barry Hickson at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court that the money was not for a lavish lifestyle.
He said the family found itself in financial difficulties and that the money obtained from neighbours was used to pay day-to-day bills.
The 46 year-old had served as a member of the Gardaí for more than 20 years before being suspended in 2012.
He resigned earlier this month.
The defendant comes from a well-known GAA family and was today sentenced to 2 years in prison on three counts of theft with one year suspended.
