A court has ordered a Clare man to stay out of Limerick after he was charged with scamming frontline shop workers in the Treaty City and County out of hundreds of euro, by allegedly pretending to be a legitimate businessman selling face masks, face shields, and other items.
Joseph McDonagh, (21), with an address at “The Caravan”, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co Clare, donned a real face mask when he appeared today in front of Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court.
He was charged with four counts of deception, contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
It’s alleged he targeted four shops in Limerick City and County in one day, last January, pocketing a total of €570 cash from shop workers who believed they were paying for face masks and face shields but ended up with nothing.
Mr McDonagh is charged that, on January 29 this year, at Chawkes shop and filling station, Dublin Road, Limerick, he did dishonestly by deception, induce a staff member to pay him €135 cash for a quantify of face masks.
He is also charged that, on the same date, at Spar, Catherine Street, Limerick, he did dishonestly by deception, induce a staff member to pay him €150 cash for a quantity of face shields.
He is further charged that, on the same date, at Euro Giant Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre, Limerick, he again presented himself as a legitimate business man, and did dishonestly by depiction, induce a female staff member to pay him €150 cash for a quantity of face shields.
The accused is also charged that, on the same date, at Inver, Dublin Road, Limerick, he did dishonestly by deception, induce a female staff member to pay him €135 in cash for a quantity of lighters.
Mr McDonagh was granted bail on a number of strict conditions, including that he must stay out of Limerick, bar attending court, legal consultations, or any pre-arranged medical appointments.
He must also sign on daily at Ennis Garda Station; obey a curfew (9pm-8am); be available to gardai at all times via a charged and in credit mobile phone number; and not have any contact with any of the alleged injured parties or witnesses.
Judge Patricia Harney remanded Mr McDonagh on bail, on his own bond of €100, which did not have to be lodged, to appear before Limerick District Court again for disclosure of the alleged evidence, on May 26.
