Ex-chief charged over children's charity fund

The former head of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children appeared in a Dublin court tonight on a fraud charge.

Cian O'Tighearnaigh was arrested by appointment at a Dublin garda station earlier today.

He was accused in Dublin District Court of carrying on business for a fraudulent purpose at the ISPCC, where he was chief executive, in December 1998, and was remanded on bail until January 8.

The court was told that more charges would be preferred against Mr O'Tighearnaigh at his next appearance in court.

When charged by police, Mr O'Tighearnaigh said: ‘‘I am not guilty of that charge.’’

His solicitor, Liam Guider, said the charges against his client would be "strenuously defended ’’.