A man who took money from people, under the pretence that it was for the local community TV deflector system, was before Castlebar District Court this week where, if he is deemed suitable, he will undertake community service in lieu of a prison sentence.
In May and June of 2010, Patrick Fehilly, Milebush, Castlebar, had obtained €250 from three people after he called to their homes to ask for money for the Castlebar deflector systems. A subsequent complaint was made by one of the injured parties to the gardaí.
The defendant, when questioned by gardaí, admitted that he took the money under false pretences. In two of the incidents cheques were cashed in local shops and money was obtained.
Lynda Lenehan, solicitor for the defendant, said that Fehilly had in the past worked as a collector for Mayo Community TV and decided to use an old receipt book to collect money after he had got into financial difficulty. €250 compensation was paid.
The 50-year-old married father of four, who owns a small farm, has no previous convictions of this nature, but does have 16 road traffic convictions.
This week Judge Mary Devins adjourned the case to July 6 for a community service assessment report, where, if found suitable, the defendant would complete a total of 150 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison.
