FÁS fraud accused sent for trial

A former FÁS executive accused of defrauding the state training agency of more than €600,000 was served with a book of evidence at the Dublin District Court yesterday.

James Brooke-Tyrell (aged 53), with an address at Church Gate, Church Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, had been charged in October with 47 counts of deception by manufacturing a false tender, inducing FÁS while in his position as assistant video production manager, at Upper Baggot Street, D4, resulting in cheques being issued into accounts controlled by him, from 2002 to 2008.

The charges, under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, also stated that this was allegedly “with intention of making a gain for yourself and causing a loss to another”.

The court had heard that the value of the money allegedly involved in the case was “just over €600,000”.

In November, he was charged with 33 additional counts, under Section 25 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, for forgery of quotations on headed paper of a number of companies, on dates between 2003 and 2008.

The DPP had directed that trial on indictment.

Yesterday, Mr Brook-Tyrell appeared again at the Dublin District Court where he was served with a book of evidence by Detective Alan Browne, of the Garda Fraud Bureau.

Judge Patrick McMahon was told that the DPP was consenting to the accused being returned for trial to the next term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge McMahon notified Mr Brooke-Tyrell that if he intended to rely on an alibi as part of his defence he must furnish the State with details within 14 days.

He spoke briefly during the case saying “I would be grateful for an explanation” when asked by the judge if he understood what an alibi was.

Judge McMahon told him that “it means you were somewhere else or it could not be you” and then made an order sending the case forward for trial.

Mr Brooke-Tyrell was remanded on bail in his own bond of €100 with an independent surety of €10,000.