Corrupt ex-garda loses insurance fraud appeal

A corrupt ex-garda jailed for deception in relation to an insurance claim for a car crash that never happened has lost an appeal against his conviction.

John Joe Synnott, aged 61, with an address at Camblin Hill, New Ross, Co Wexford, had pleaded not guilty at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court to three charges relating to a reported road traffic accident on September 9, 2007 which prosecuting lawyers said never happened.

He was found guilty by a jury on all counts and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Alice Doyle on June 30, 2011.