Canada Life agent accused of €800k theft from clients

A former Canada Life agent is to stand trial accused of theft of approximately €800,000 from investors.

Martin Reilly, 58, with an address at Westside Estate, Togher, Cork, met officers from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) by appointment in Dublin city centre yesterday.

He was charged with 80 counts of theft from multiple alleged injured parties by dishonestly appropriating various sums from funds entrusted to him for the purpose of investing with Canada Life.

The offences are alleged to have happened in Co Louth from 2006 until 2011 when he worked as a tied agent for the company.

He was brought before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court where Det Garda Niamh Seberry gave evidence of the arrest.

She said the accused made no reply to any of the charges at Pearse Street Garda Station yesterday.

The defendant has not yet indicated how he will plead.

There was no objection to bail and the DPP directed “trial on indictment” meaning the case will go forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Halpin agreed to impose bail conditions sought by the GBFI detective. He told Mr Reilly he must sign on at Togher Garda Station every Monday and Friday, and must inform gardaí if he intends leaving the jurisdiction or changing address. He remanded Mr Reilly, who did not address the court, on bail in his own bond of €200.

He ordered him to appear again on April 1 when it is expected the book of evidence will be served and he may be returned for trial. Legal aid was granted after defence solicitor Patrick Godwin furnished the court with a statement of his client’s means.