Gardaí object to bail for Cork man accused of multiple fraudulent solar panel sales 

It is alleged accused had defrauded multiple individuals across Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Limerick out of a total of €77,775 over a four-year period

It was alleged defendant targeted people in the agricultural community and offered to sell them solar panels for their properties. File picture

A man facing dozens of charges contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001, was granted bail in the district court, despite garda objections.

Fermoy District Court was told 26 new charges were being brought against Maurice Kevin Caplice, aged 49, of Farrahy Road, Kildorrery, Co Cork, in addition to 37 charges that had been brought previously.

Giving evidence, Detective Garda John Murphy said gardaí were objecting to bail for Caplice based on the O’Callaghan rules due to the seriousness of the charges, that he may continue the alleged offending, that he may fail to appear in court, could tamper with evidence, or disburse alleged proceeds of crime.

Det Garda Murphy said it was alleged Caplice had defrauded multiple individuals across Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Limerick out of a total of €77,775 over a four-year period. It was alleged Caplice targeted people in the agricultural community and offered to sell them solar panels for their properties.

It was further alleged Caplice would ask for a deposit and would take monies using a portable card reader but did not deliver the solar panels. The court heard many of the alleged victims were known to Caplice. 

Investigating gardaí identified a bank account connected to the card reader to which the court was told Caplice was in full control of. The court was told none of the alleged victims received solar panels, although some were refunded “a small amount.”

Defence solicitor Matthew Bermingham said Caplice was currently complying with High Court bail and there was no reason to suggest he would not comply if bail was granted. 

Judge Colm Roberts said he would grant bail but would need to reflect the new matters Caplice was charged with by increasing the cash bond required.

The judge said bail would be granted in Caplice’s own bond of €5,000, with €2,500 required in cash, as well as €1,000 lodged by an independent surety. 

Caplice told the court he could not come up with the funds immediately and was consequently remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear again at Mallow District Court on September 16.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme