Former FÁS executive jailed for two years

A former FÁS executive who defrauded his employers of more than €600,000 has been jailed for two years.

James Brooke-Tyrell, with an address at Church Gate, Church Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow pleaded guilty to nine sample counts of fraud committed on dates between September 2003 and January 2008.

James Brooke Tyrell was a middle manager earning €50,000 a year when he defrauded FÁS of more than €618,000.

He spent all the money on lifestyle improvements, his home and foreign trips. He is now is in no position to offer any restitution to his former employer.

The court heard the father-of-two may even face a Revenue bill for undeclared income and that FÁS has indicated it is to look at Mr Brooke-Tyrell's pension.

The 54-year-old defrauded his bosses by creating bogus companies that applied for bogus tenders and then invoiced FÁS.

Imposing a four-year sentence with two years suspended, Judge Patrick McCartan called it a shockingly sad case, but said he had to send out a message to other people in positions of trust that if they breach that trust, they must face the rigours of the law.