FAS worker loses bail in €4.5k fraud case

Eimear Cotter

A FAS programme co-ordinator alleged to have scammed students into handing him €4,500 in cash for a sports course has had his bail revoked after the court heard he told a former colleague that a witness in the case was a "g**bag".

Michael Browne (36) is facing more than 20 counts of deception after it was alleged he pocketed €4,610 from the students of the Spoirt Teic Programme and Sports Flexibility Programme at Tallaght Leisure Centre between December 2009 and March 2010.

He is also alleged to have deceived a South Dublin County Council (SDCC) official into handing him a cheque for €1,458 in August 2009, which he claimed was to pay for a health and safety document.

Browne, of Kiltipper Gate in Tallaght, was remanded on bail on the charges on October 21.

As part of his bail conditions, he was ordered him to stay away from the students of the programmes, and from anyone in FAS or SDCC who is involved in them. The matter was before Tallaght District Court after it was alleged Browne breached bail.

Custody

Community employment supervisor with SDCC, Rosanna Nolan, said she was in Level 4 nightclub on October 22 when her son, John, came over to her with his arm around Browne saying "look who I found".

She said Browne, who she has known for 12 years, started complaining about FAS officer Adrianne Mooney, calling her a "g**bag", and saying "you'll see her getting sacked in a few weeks' time". Ms Nolan said Browne was shouting.

Browne denied all claims.

The judge remanded him in custody for two weeks.

hnews@herald.ie