Two men charged with forging will
DEFENDANTS DUE BEFORE THE COURT AGAIN IN APRIL
Wednesday March 03 2010
TWO MEN were brought before Wexford District Court yesterday (Tuesday) morning charged with forging the will of a bachelor farmer.
William O'Leary (46), of Kilhile, Arthurstown, and Noel Hayes (56), of Ramsgrange, are both charged with forging a document purporting to be the will of Matthew Hayes on a date between December 25, 1998 – the day Mr Hayes died – and January 5, 1999.
Sergeant Mick Troy, Wexford Garda Station, gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of both defendants, whom he met by arrangement at the courthouse in Ardcavan yesterday morning.
Sgt Troy said that when the charge was set out against Mr O'Leary his reply, after caution, was: 'no'.
Sgt Troy informed Judge William Earley that the DPP had directed that Mr O'Leary be sent forward for trial at Wexford Circuit Court.
The Sergeant said he would need six weeks to prepare the book of evidence, which will be served on Mr O'Leary before he is sent forward for trial.
The Gardaí had no objections to bail, which was granted to Mr O'Leary in his own bond of €200. The case was put back to Wexford District Court on April 26 for service of the book of evidence.
Mr O'Leary was represented in court by John B O'Connor & Co. Solicitors, Dublin, and his solicitor said that Mr O'Leary wanted to make it clear he would be pleading not guilty.
'He wants it to be clear to the court at this stage that he pleads not guilty to the charge that was put to him,' he said. Judge Earley noted the not guilty plea.
Sgt Troy said that when the charge was set out against Noel Hayes, his reply, after caution, was: 'no, not guilty, that's all'.
The defendant's address was amended from Bealistown, Ballycullane, as Sgt Troy said he has moved to Ramsgrange.
Again, there was no Garda objection to bail and Mr Hayes was remanded on bail in his own bond of €200 to appear before the court again on April 26 for service of the book of evidence, as the DPP has directed that he too be sent forward for trial at Wexford Circuit Court.
