Tralee man jailed for fraudulent claim over pub toilet fall
A judge jailed a 49-year-old Tralee man who made a false claim about tripping inside a pub toilet. Picture: Denis Minihane
A message has to go out that fraudulent claims will not be tolerated, a judge has said as she jailed a 49-year-old Tralee man who made a false claim about tripping inside a pub toilet.
Judge Sinead Behan made the comments in Tralee Circuit Criminal Court as she sentenced Neill Conlon of The Mews, Moyderwell, Tralee, to 18 months.
Conlon had claimed he had tripped inside the toilet of The Four Seasons Bar Tralee on March 17, 2018. He had pursued compensation against the pub making false claims to a solicitor.
Affidavits were signed, but the fraudulent nature of the complaint was uncovered by the now deceased owner of the Four Seasons Bar and by FBD Insurance, Judge Sinéad Behan noted. The fall had taken place outside the pub it was later discovered.
"Everybody was pulled into a web of lies," Judge Behan said.
"A message of deterrence has to go out loud and clear. Fraudulent claims cannot be tolerated by society. Innocent plaintiffs with genuine injuries suffer,’" she said.
Conlon had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of making false and misleading statements under the Civil Liability and Courts Act, 2004. He also pleaded guilty to a deception charge contrary to Common Law if attempting to make a gain by way of compensation for personal injury, prosecutor Tom Rice outlined at the finalisation of sentencing.
Conlon had no previous convictions, he was working now as a part-time carer and had paid €2,000 to be handed over in compensation, the court heard from his barrister Richard Liston.
Judge Behan ordered half of this money be paid to the publican’s widow and estate and the other to the Samaritans.
She sentenced him to 18 months, suspending nine months on the basis he abstained from alcohol for a period of two years.
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