Ex-FF councillor charged with fraud

Former solicitor, financial adviser and Fianna Fáil councillor Gary O’Flynn was arrested and charged with nine fraud charges yesterday.

Mr O’Flynn, aged 39, appeared in court wearing blue plastic hygiene gloves, a grey pin-striped suit jacket, a red jumper, jeans, and runners.

Detective Garda Michael Horgan said Mr O’Flynn, of Hayfield Drive, Whitechurch, Co Cork, made no reply when he was charged and cautioned.

Inspector Bill Duane said the DPP had directed trial on indictment on these matters. There was a State application for a one-month adjournment to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence. Det Garda Horgan said there was no objection to bail providing three conditions were met.

Mr O’Flynn would have to sign weekly at Mayfield Garda Station, make no approach to State witnesses in the case, and surrender his passport, said the garda.

Frank Buttimer was appointed to represent Mr O’Flynn on free legal aid after stating that he was not in employment. There was no difficulty with the bail terms, Mr Buttimer said.

The first three charges are for alleged deception, where he is accused of inducing Bank of Ireland to pay Gary O’Flynn Flexible Mortgages a commission.

The next three charges accuse him of obtaining services by deception using false documents, namely false Revenue self-assessment and false financial accounts referring to Gary O’Flynn, sole trader, and Gary O’Flynn, solicitor, in respect of mortgages in the amounts of €308,000, €200,000, and €185,000.

The last three charges also relate to the alleged use of false documentation.