Three men to face trial over alleged thefts of tens of thousands of euro from Irish Rail

Books of evidence were served on three men who are accused of stealing tens of thousands of euro from Irish Rail. 

Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that he had served books of evidence on each of the three accused men. 

Ken Corcoran (52) of 1 Barrowvale, Graiguecullen, Carlow, faces 25 counts of theft from  Iarnród Éireann on dates between December 20, 2017 and September 16, 2019 amounting to a total of €69,031.52. 

Nigel Crosbie (47) of 11 Nuenna Court, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, is accused of nine thefts from Iarnród Éireann on dates between December 20, 2017 and September 13, 2019 amounting to €24,735.01. 

Eoin Shortt (49) of Sanders Grove Hill, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, is accused of 16 counts of theft from Iarnród Éireann between February 5, 2018 and September 16, 2019 amounting to €44,296.51. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the DPP had directed that each of the accused be sent forward for trial to the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court. 

“There is no automatic consent for going forward on a signed plea,” he told Judge Susan Fay. 

She gave each of the men the standard alibi warning before sending them forward to the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court. 

Solicitor Elizabeth Cass appeared in court for Mr Corcoran. She requested legal aid to be extended to include one counsel. Judge Fay granted the legal aid. 

Judge Fay then sent Mr Shortt forward for trial on the same conditions of bail as set at a previous hearing. 

She queried the spelling of Mr Crosbie’s name as it appeared on the charge sheets as Crosby. She was informed that Crosbie was the correct spelling and she amended the sheets and sent him forward for trial.

All three men were sent forward to the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court sitting in Portlaoise on November 18.