Arising from an investigation conducted by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (“ODCE”) and following directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (“DPP”), Mr. Pearse O’Connor, aged 38, of The Crescent, Lennonstown Manor, Dundalk, County Louth, was arraigned before Drogheda Circuit Court this morning. He entered pleas of guilty in respect of 1 count of Fraudulent Trading under the Companies Act 1963 as amended and 5 counts of the Use of a False Instrument under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
The fraudulent trading charge arose in circumstances in which Mr O’Connor was knowingly a party to the carrying on of the business of Pearse Roofing and Cladding Ltd for a fraudulent purpose, i.e. the dishonest solicitation of payments from Keys Commercial Finance Limited by the furnishing of false and misleading invoices. The five charges of using a false instrument arose from the use of certain false documents, including false and misleading invoices.
Judge Martina Baxter remanded Mr O’Connor on continuing bail to the 5th of October 2021 for the preparation of a probation report and to fix a date for sentencing.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE ENFORCEMENT
15 April 2021
Ends/
Contact:
Conor O'Mahony
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
16 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 W5C2
Phone no. (087) 239 7741
Email: conor_omahony@odce.ie