'A callous disregard for a dying man' — Two jailed for deception over dead man's pension

Judge O’Kelly said that while considering his judgment he took into account the “distasteful and macabre” scene in the post office on the day in question

Handing down his sentence at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Eugene O’Kelly sentenced Declan Haughney (pictured) to two-and-a-half years with the final six months suspended for one year. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Two men who pleaded guilty to the attempted deception of a post office worker when trying to claim a pension from a deceased man have been sentenced to two-and-a-half years and two years in prison.

Both co-accused — Declan Haughney, 41, of 119 Pollerton Road, Carlow, a nephew of the deceased man Peadar Doyle, 66, and Gareth Coakley, 38, of 44 John Sweeney Park, Carlow town — pleaded guilty to the attempted deception of Margaret O’Toole at Hosey’s post office on Staplestown Road, Carlow town on January 21, 2022, contrary to common law after changing their plea from not guilty when the case opened last Tuesday.