€15k Loss | 

Man admits that he deceived board of primary school into laying inferior floor

Stuart Goodwin (46) has been sent forward for sentencing to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on a signed plea of guilty.

Eimear Cotter

Today at 06:53

A man has admitted that he deceived the board of a primary school into laying an inferior floor at the school, causing a loss of over €15,000.

Stuart Goodwin (46) has been sent forward for sentencing to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on a signed plea of guilty.

As part of his bail conditions, Goodwin has been ordered to stay away from the school and not to have any contact with the school’s board of governors.

The accused, of Johnswood Park in Ashbourne, Co Meath, is charged with making gain or causing loss by deception at Old Borough National School, Church Road in Swords on March 10, 2023.

It is alleged that Goodwin induced by deception the chairperson of the board of governors to lay an inferior floor at the school, which subsequently had to be taken up, and the money, €15,240, was never refunded to the school.

Detective Garda Karen Duffy previously told Swords District Court that the DPP had directed trial in the circuit court on the charge.

Det Gda Duffy said Mr Goodwin may also go forward for sentencing on a signed plea of guilty.

Defence solicitor Morgan Redmond said his client, an unemployed man with three children, had entered into a signed plea of guilty.

Judge Dermot Dempsey remanded the defendant on bail to appear before the circuit court on a date in January.

The judge also assigned Mr Redmond and one junior counsel on free legal aid.

Judge Dempsey further ordered that a video copy of an interview which gardaí conducted with the accused be handed over to his solicitor.