By Ronan Judge

A ‘self-styled’ surveyor who pleaded guilty to the theft of €106,000 from an 86-year-old farmer in Connemara has received a two-year prison sentence.

Judge Eoin Garavan told Galway Circuit Court said Seamus Murphy (59) acted out of “pure dishonesty and utter greed” when he stole money from Padraig Walsh.

The court heard Murphy acted as an intermediary in a deal between SSE Electricity and Mr Walsh over the construction of wind turbines on land owned by Mr Walsh in the Cloosh Valley in Connemara.

Murphy – a married father of three, with an address at 90 Creggan, Barna – pleaded guilty to two counts of theft contrary to section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.

These relate to the theft of two sums of €53,340 on June 7, 2018 and November 16, 2018, at the Bank of Ireland, Eyre Square.

Murphy initially faced eight counts comprising theft and money-laundering offences that involved a total sum of €199,651.70. The case was heard on a ‘full facts’ basis.

In his victim impact statement, previously read in court, Padraig Walsh said Seamus Murphy not only robbed his life savings but ‘robbed me my peace of mind and trust in people’.

Mr Walsh said Murphy called him a ‘liar’ threatened him and caused a lot of stress and suffering.

The court heard Murphy did well at the initial stages of the arrangement and “earned Mr Walsh’s trust”, the judge said.

Seamus Murphy was recommended to Mr Walsh by a neighbour in 2015 and Mr Walsh initially spoke well of the accused, describing him as a “nice and honest man”.

Judge Garavan said that at a later stage, Mr Walsh signed mandates, apparently for sums to be paid to Mr Murphy. But the court heard that when issues arose relating to the money owed to the victim, Mr Walsh’s family got involved and were “treated shamefully” by Mr Murphy.

The judge noted the “great integrity and hard work and decency” of Mr Walsh’s accountant who raised queries that led to the involvement of gardai.

The court heard that as a result of a High Court case taken against Murphy, a compromise was reached and sums of money were repaid.

“It seems to me this was an appalling breach of trust,” said Judge Garavan. “This was a man who ingratiated himself, in my view, with this innocent rural gentleman.”

He said it was clear from the evidence that Seamus Murphy ‘took advantage’ of an elderly man who was not used to business or legal matters.

“When Mr Murphy was confronted by the victim and his family, Mr Murphy threatened them in a bullying manner, in accordance with the evidence,” said Judge Garavan.

The court heard Murphy tore up a solicitor’s letter the family gave to him and warned them that “if the matter went to court there would be only one winner”.

The court noted that Seamus Murphy was not fully cooperative with Gardaí – but certain admissions were made.

“He (Murphy) used the victim’s money for personal gain. This was a well planned and executed theft. He seems to be a well-off individual. He has lots of businesses and he used the monies to improve his business, essentially,” said Judge Garavan.

The Judge said that ‘substantial mitigating factors’ existed in the case. He said the accused has no previous convictions, the victim has been substantially reimbursed, and it is six years since the offences.

Judge Garavan said the guilty plea was significant and spared the victim the prospect of having to come to court and give evidence. However, he said the court regarded Murphy as a ‘seasoned operative’ and this was an extreme breach of trust.

“It was pure dishonestly and utter greed at the end of the day”, he added.

He imposed a three-year prison sentence with the final year suspended on conditions

At the start of the hearing, barrister Bernard Madden SC, said that his instructions and those of the instructing solicitor, Ronan Murphy, had been withdrawn by the accused.

Seamus Murphy told the court he wanted to change his legal team and change his plea.

Judge Garavan said no such application was before the court or the prosecution and he intended to proceed with sentencing. “It’s too late in the day,” the judge said.

The court heard Murphy failed to turn up for his sentencing hearing in July after going to Spain.

■ Funded by Courts Reporting Scheme.

Country Living with Francis Farragher

THERE I was last week in a newsroom that’s not so crowded anymore since the ‘Covid Revolution’ changed our working ways, when out of the blue, I was ‘hit’ with a two-minute bout of sneezing and coughing. Jeez, it seemed bad, and thoughts of impending lung diseases and pneumonia started flooding into my mind. Sure, what else could it be?

A few minutes later, the other few souls that frequent the office these days, obviously inspired by my sneezing bout, emulated my symptoms, and then the penny dropped that we had all picked some mysterious virus of a wicked nature, which would kill us off in a matter of days. Then, I settled down, got on with whatever story I was writing, and within 20 minutes, thoughts of my impending doom had completely evaporated.

I blame this condition, which I have diagnosed as intermittent hypochondria, on some of my acquaintances, who often relate life-threatening ailments to me and also remind me of the signs that I should note of my impending demise. Years and decades on though, all of them, thankfully, are as ‘healthy as trouts’, but they have always stopped short of admitting to any positivity about their wellbeing.

Someday, of course, given the certainty of our mortality, our worst fears are going to be realised, and I couldn’t help but delve a little deeper into the epitaph story of writer, comedian, and Goon, Spike Milligan, whose worst fears were realised on February 27th, 2002, when he passed from this life.

Supposedly, his headstone contains the line: “I told you, I was ill,” but when various people visit his grave, and look at the grave, there’s no mention of that phrase . . . in the English language.

Cemetery regulations at St Thomas’ Graveyard in Winchelsea in East Sussex ruled against such an inscription, but Milligan, being a crafty hypochondriac and an honorary Irish man, got over that little problem, by inserting the same sentiment, but expressed ‘as Gaeilge’, on his headstone which reads: “Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite” which of course translates as: “I told you I was ill.”

The Gaelic version was apparently acceptable to the cemetery authorities, probably on the basis that 99% of people looking at it wouldn’t have a clue as to what it meant. It wasn’t the only piece of Irish on his headstone which also contained a love note to his wife, which read: ‘Grá mhór ort Shelagh’.

Anyway, as someone who has survived a myriad of scans, X-rays, ultra-sound examinations and cataract issues, there is a consolation of sorts in taking a look back at some of the famous hypochondriacs that have been with us down through history.

Pictured: What next?

A Different View with Dave O’Connell

Fully prepared to let the train take the strain on a recent day-out to Dublin, I’d made allowances for the vagaries of Wi-Fi as you meander through the Midlands, by downloading the opening few episodes of the new series of the brilliant Slow Horses to pass the time.

I needn’t have bothered – because while Mick Heron knows how to write fine drama, he couldn’t hold a candle to real life version as ‘enjoyed’ by all for free on the evening Dublin-to-Galway train.

The train itself was perfect; one of the newer ones with electronic chargers for every seat. No snack trolley of course, even though it transpired that more than one of the passengers could badly have used copious amounts of coffee.

Anyway, we settled down for the journey home, earbuds in position, iPad primed to go and all things right before even pulling out of Heuston.

But the catch-up clips from the last series hadn’t finished as we cruised out through Islandbridge when the slurred shouting started in the next bank of seats.

A man and woman with a ten or twelve-year-old son were roaring at each other – all three of them, all at the same time – at a volume that superseded all of the technical advances housed in those noise-cancelling earbuds.

I had my back to it but the man across the table from me could see it all and decided to provide a form of commentary for those of us facing in the wrong direction; the ones who only had the sound but no vision.

He didn’t know their names, so he loudly and regularly referred to them collectively by a pejorative term. Luckily for him, they were shouting so loudly at each other that they didn’t seem to hear him.

Slaps were exchanged – between the feuding family, not the commentator – until Big Daddy took himself off to the toilet, and on his return, sat in a completely different seat.

He soon dozed off and the rest of the carriage breathed a collective sigh of relief, although Mammy still had things to say even if nobody knew what they were because of the distortion caused by her earlier imbibing.

Arts Week with Judy Murphy

Futa Fata publishers, who are based in An Spidéal, had a special celebration on Sunday to mark 20 years producing books “for children and former children”, which offer a particular focus on music and verse.

The celebration took place in Amarchlann Chois Fharraige at Aille West, where local school children from Scoil Sailearna took to the stage alongside singer and author Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, sean-nós singer Caitlín Ní Chualáin and singer Róise Nic Dhonnagáin for a fun-filled show based on a selection of Futa Fata’s books.

The icing on the cake for all involved was the presence of the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, who was in the audience for the show.

Bhí deireadh seachtaine iontach ag an teach foilsitheoireachta, Futa Fata agus iad ag ceiliúradh fiche bliain ar an bhfód.

In Amharclann Chois Fharraige a bhí an ceiliúradh agus páistí ó Scoil Sailearna ar stáitse le Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, Caitlín Ní Chualáin agus Róise Nic Dhonnagáin ag cur dráma i láthair bunaithe ar réimse leabhar de chuid na comhlachta.

Ba mhór an onóir é Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, a bheith sa lucht féachana ar an Domhnach.

Pictured: Naíonáin Bheaga perforrming ‘Na Síolta Bheaga’, from the 1997 song by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin. GRIANGHRAFANNA: SIMON BOYLE.

By Ronan Judge

A 51-year-old man accused of drugs and money-laundering offences in Ballinasloe has been returned for trial to Galway Circuit Criminal Court.

Patrick Cawley, with an address at 63 Hymany Park, Ballinasloe appeared at Ballinasloe District Court where he was served with a book of evidence.

Garda Brid Fitzgerald gave evidence of serving the book and Sergeant Christy Browne told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the accused being returned for trial to Galway Circuit Court on December 2.

Sgt Browne confirmed to the court that the book of evidence contains four charges.

Judge James Faughnan delivered the alibi warning, telling the accused that if his defence in any way relies on an alibi then details should be supplied to the prosecution within 14 days.

Judge Faughnan made the order returning the accused for trial and granted legal aid for solicitor Tony McLynn and junior counsel going forward.

Judge Faughnan refused a legal aid application for senior counsel.

In the case, Patrick Cawley is charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for sale or supply at 63 Hymany Park on January 28, 2023.

He is also charged with an offence contrary to Section 15 (a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

That charge alleges that on January 28, 2023 at 63 Hymany Park, he possessed cannabis for the purposes of sale or supply at a time when the market value amounted to €13,000 or more. The court heard the approximate value of the drugs seized is €36,000.

Cawley is further charged with engaging in disguising the true sourcing / ownership of property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit cash, contrary to section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.

■ Funded by Courts Reporting Scheme.

By Daragh Ó Conchúir

The West was awake at Croke Park on Saturday night – and into the early hours of Sunday morning too – as Galway left the PwC Camogie All-Stars with eight individual awards as well as the PwC GPA Senior Player of the Year award in Aoife Donohue; while Cathal Murray scooped the Manager of the Year award.

Thirteen of the All-Stars went the way of the teams that provided one of the greatest All-Ireland finals in living memory, with Cork’s gallant bid to secure a famous three-in-a-row recognised by the naming of five of their personnel on the team of the year.

The two remaining awards went the way of the beaten semi-finalists, with former PwC GPA Player of the Year, Beth Carton of Waterford, picking up her fifth gong at centre-forward; and Tipp’s inspirational defender Mairéad Eviston making the walk to the stage for the first time having been selected at wing-back.

The indomitable Donohue was named PwC GPA Player of the Year for the second time, having previously earned the prestigious honour when Galway last won the All-Ireland in 2021. She secured her sixth All-Star, this time at midfield.

Murray was selected as PwC Manager of the Year for the third occasion, having become Galway’s most successful camogie manager ever by leading the westerners to a third All-Ireland senior title, and also stewarding the county to the inaugural U23A Championship.

Murray’s words gave a real insight into how Galway managed to bounce back from agonising defeat to Cork in the previous year’s All-Ireland final, despite losing another former POTY in Niamh Kilkenny, as well as Niamh Hanniffy, Áine Keane, and Niamh McPeake through either unavailability or injury.

He has been an ever-present since being appointed at the end of the 2018 National League campaign and has overseen unprecedented success while continuing to freshen up the squad. But he does not need any freshening up himself, insisting that he could not see himself anywhere else.

“The memories you have from it after the game and walking back into Clarinbridge, they will live for us forever,” Murray said of the homecoming the day after August’s All-Ireland final.

“Both teams in the final deserve huge credit. Cork were unbelievable champions and to be a puck of the ball away from winning three-in-a-row shows how good they are.

“The match itself has got such great recognition and rightly so. It was probably the best game of the four [senior GAA] finals this year and to come out on top of a game like that is really special.

“I’m really proud of the girls and the way they performed and as a manager, that’s what you want, for your players to go out and perform like that in an All-Ireland final.

“I’m really lucky to be involved in such a special group, backroom team, management and players, it’s really special.

“They just want the best. They challenge themselves all the time, they challenge us. I think this group have turned up on the big days. It’s very seldom, maybe one or two occasions in the last six or seven years, where we haven’t turned up as a team.

“We talked this year about making the right decisions coming down the track, having that composure, getting the scores that mattered and [captain] Carrie Dolan led by example with that free in the last minute.

“I struggle to see where I’d get to be in a better job than with Galway camogie. We’ve been up in Croke Park 14, 15 times in the last six or seven years. We’ve won three All-Irelands and three National Leagues. People always talk about the next step. I don’t see a next step. This is the best job I’ll ever have and I’m very lucky to have it.”

As if to emphasise the point, Donohue stressed the collective over the individual.

“I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to be part of a brilliant group of players with Galway camogie and I wouldn’t be up here only for them,” said Donohue, the 32-years-old school teacher who was Player of the Match in the All-Ireland final and has been a defiant and inspirational presence in the maroon jersey for more than a decade.

Donohue was joined on the podium by Dervla Higgins, who achieved a rare feat for a corner-back generally tasked with marking duties by being nominated for POTY honours.

The Athenry star picked up her second All-Star and was joined in the other corner by Shauna Healy, who made a spectacular return to the line-up this year after giving birth.

Healy was winning her fifth All-Star. Other Galwegians returning to the team were goalkeeper Sarah Healy (goalkeeper, 3rd award), Ailish O’Reilly (wing-forward, 6th), and Niamh Mallon (corner-forward, 2nd), but it was a first for Ciara Hickey, named at centre-back.

PwC Camogie All-Stars: Sarah Healy (Galway), Shauna Healy (Galway), Libby Coppinger (Cork), Dervla Higgins (Galway), Mairéad Eviston (Tipperary), Ciara Hickey (Galway), Laura Hayes (Cork), Aoife Donohue (Galway), Ashling Thompson (Cork), Saoirse McCarthy (Cork), Beth Carton (Waterford), Ailish O’Reilly (Galway), Niamh Mallon (Galway), Carrie Dolan (Galway), Amy O’Connor (Cork).

Senior Player of the Year: Aoife Donohue (Galway).

Manager of the Year: Cathal Murray (Galway).

Pictured: The eight Galway winners at the PwC Camogie All-Star Awards in Croke Park last weekend, from left: Ciara Hickey, Niamh Mallon, Shauna Healy, Dervla Higgins, Sarah Healy, Aoife Donohue, Carrie Dolan, and Ailish O’Reilly. Photos: INPHO/Dan Clohessy.

Maigh Cuilinn 4-13

Leitrim Gaels 1-9

By John Fallon at Pearse Stadium

The outcome of this Connacht senior club championship semi-final was easy to predict in advance, as a side who had never come out of their county travelled to do battle with a team which had never lost in the province since becoming a major force in Galway over the past six years.

But what was not easily predicted at Pearse Stadium on Sunday is how Leitrim Gaels, with half of their county final defence missing, would shoot out of the blocks and go 1-2 to 0-0 in front after less than five minutes. They were winning all the kickouts, mopping up all the loose ball and, even at that early stage, becoming more adventurous with each attack.

You can imagine Cathal Clancy and the rest of his Maigh Cuilinn management blue in the face all week warning their charges after an 11-point win in Sligo over Shamrock Gaels, not to underestimate the first-time Leitrim champions.

But Clancy and his mentors need not have worried. One of the biggest benefits of winning championships is that teams tend not to panic when they are in a sticky position, and Maigh Cuilinn refused to be rattled by the early Leitrim Gaels onslaught.

Sean Kelly stepped back to man the centre of defence; and his brother Paul and Tom Clarke started breaking ball around the middle of the field, with David Wynne, Johnny Maloney and Ger Davoren pouncing.

Bit by bit, Maigh Cuilinn found themselves with enough possession to start feeding an attack where the McDonagh brothers Fionn and Fiachra were prominent; while Dessie Conneely, of course, began to have a big impact and the scores started to flow.

The game was over as a contest by the break when Maigh Cuilinn led by 2-9 to 1-2, with Leitrim Gaels down a man for the opening seven minutes of the second-half after a black card, and by the time he returned the Galway champions were out of sight despite Peter Cooke not featuring again.

They could afford the luxury of running out the full complement of subs in the second-half as the Leitrim Gaels challenged wilted, and long before the finish the Maigh Cuilinn supporters were paying more attention to what was happening in Hyde Park where the Roscommon champions St Brigid’s were setting up a final date with them at the expense of Ballina Stephenites.

Three new names have been added to the Shane McGettigan Cup in the past four years, but on Sunday week in Hyde Park, will it be a case of Maigh Cuilinn adding to their maiden 2022 success or Anthony Cunningham’s St Brigid’s claiming their sixth crown since they won their first in 2006?

Leitrim Gaels, playing in their first-ever Connacht championship match after claiming a maiden county title which was greatly aided when the three Jones brothers came across the border from Derrygonnelly Gaels in Fermanagh, made a whirlwind start.

Pictured: Maigh Cuilinn’s Niall Walsh kicks a first-half point despite the best effoprts of Liam Chandler of Leitrim Gaels, as Aidan Flynn looks on. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.