Former bodhrán festival chair avoids jail for fraud

A man was yesterday given a 10-month suspended prison sentence for fraud arising from the time he was chairman of the World Bodhrán Championships in his native Milltown, Co Kerry.

Dan Cronin, aged 48, of 23 Kilcolman, Milltown, had pleaded guilty to 27 charges of theft and fraud related to the festival.

He admitted writing nine cheques totalling almost €12,000 from the account of his former employer, William O’Shea, which he claims were used to pay off debts incurred by the festival, which is now defunct.