Red carpet rolls for first debs in fraud case

THE red carpet was rolled out last night for the first of thousands of teenagers caught up in the €200,000 debs ball debacle.

After months of planning and a last-minute brush with disaster it was all smiles as 30 students from Hamilton High School in Bandon, Co Cork, and their partners, finally made it to their debs at the Silver Springs Moran Hotel.

It all almost ended in tears two weeks ago, however, when self-styled events organiser Pat Browne failed to pay the Cork city hotel a €24,920 booking deposit to secure a date for the function, and functions for 18 other schools.

Almost 2,500 students — some of whom had paid Mr Browne up to €125 for tickets — were affected.

Paul Taaffe, a member of Hamilton High’s debs organising committee, said last night that students were shocked when the story broke. It sparked a major Garda fraud squad investigation.

“We handed over about €2,500 in total to Mr Browne. We haven’t seen it since. But the hotel has been great. I can’t say enough for them,” said Mr Taaffe.

He arrived at the function with his date, Kate Crowley, and said everyone was looking forward to a great event.

There was no sign of Mr Browne last night.

Top hotel management stepped in after the story broke and agreed to honour the functions at cost price.

A range of entertainment, security and photographic businesses came on board.

Hotel co-owner and financial director Pat Power travelled from Dublin yesterday to ensure everything ran smoothly, as the Garda investigation continued.

A fraud squad spokesman said they have received complaints from up to 20 schools. But several more schools could come forward with documentation in the coming weeks, he said.

Mr Browne was interviewed by detectives at his rented home in Upper Glanmire last week and agreed to stay in Cork and co-operate with the investigation.

“An extensive file on all of the matters is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and will be forwarded in the coming weeks,” he said.

The DPP will then decide whether a criminal offence has been committed and whether or not proceedings should ensue.

Last night’s ball was the first of 19 caught up in the Pat Browne debacle, which will take place at the Silversprings Moran Hotel over the coming weeks.

The Rochestown Park Hotel, which says it is owed up to €130,000 by Mr Browne, has begun legal proceedings against him.