Net closing in on debs ball organiser

THE Garda Fraud squad was closing in on an events organiser last night who allegedly took almost €185,000 from thousands of students for graduation balls he failed to book.

A senior fraud squad officer confirmed yesterday that they are investigating whether or not Pat Browne, a freelance events organiser in his 30s from Cork, has committed a criminal offence under theft and fraud legislation.

“We have received a number of complaints from students of several schools,” the garda spokesman said.