Man admits fraudulent insurance claims

False insurance claims amounting to over €200,000 in relation to elaborately staged car accidents were admitted yesterday by a Co Cork man.

Tommy Maher, aged 51, of Scarteen, Newmarket, faced a number of charges arising from a Garda probe, code-named Operation NASCAR. It had been co-ordinated by the Organised Crime Unit at Anglesea Street Garda Station.

He was arraigned yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and pleaded guilty to making false reports of accidents to gardaí and making fraudulent claims.