Council engineer cleared of deception

A FORMER council engineer accused of deceiving a superior officer over an €18,920 contract was acquitted yesterday when a judge directed a jury to return a “not guilty” verdict.

Joseph Brennan, 50, of 2 Ceithre na Gaoithe, An Rinn, Co Waterford, walked free from Waterford Circuit Court on the second day of his trial after Judge Thomas Teehan decided there was insufficient evidence to allow the case proceed.

The former senior executive engineer with Waterford County Council was charged with using deception to induce Dungarvan council housing officer Joe O’Flaherty into awarding a contract to a David O’Riordan.