Ex-principal charged with deception over enrolments

A former principal of a gaelscoil in Co Cork was formally arrested yesterday for the purpose of being charged with deception in relation to enrolment information.

The deception offences relate to a five-year period at a school in Blarney.

Detective Garda James O’Reilly formally arrested Aileen Ní Cheallagh, aged 35, of 14 Mill Road, Midleton, Co Cork, yesterday at the courthouse on Washington Street, Cork.

She was charged with five deception offences.

As soon as she was formally charged, she was also served with a book of evidence in relation to the case.

The first charge states that: “On a date unknown between September 4 and December 19, 2005, at Gaelscoil Mhuscraí, Blarney, County Cork, did dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for yourself or another, in furnishing information for the Department of Education and Skills in relation to the enrolment submissions for the school year 2005/2006 produce or make use of a document made or required for accounting purposes which to your knowledge was misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular, contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.”

Four other charges contain a similar set of allegations, in respect of the school years 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009, and 2009/2010.

Each of the charges sets out a period during which information in relation to enrolments was allegedly submitted to the department.

Ms Ní Cheallagh was the principal of Gaelscoil Mhuscraí at the relevant time.

Inspector Mary King confirmed that Detective Garda O’Reilly had served the book of evidence on the accused.

On the application of Inspector King, Judge Con O’Leary sent the case forward to the county sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court, commencing on February 7 next.

There was no state objection to the accused being remanded on bail.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, represented the defend- ant. There was no application for free legal aid.