A former Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council has been remanded on bail until next month at Trim Circuit Court today.
Forty two year old Sean McKiernan of Virginia Road, Cavan is charged with 58 counts of theft involving a total of €172,130 from the Navan Mental Health Housing Association. The offences were alleged to have been committed at unknown locations on various dates in 2019. The accused had been remanded on bail by Trim District Court on 21st March to appear before the circuit court today.
However when the case was called this morning defence barrister James O'Brien BL told Judge John Martin his client was not in court. Following a request from State Prosecutor Carl Hanahoe BL, Judge Martin issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the former county councillor. When the court proceedings resumed after lunch Mr O'Brien told Judge Martin his client was now in court and was very apologetic for his non appearance earlier in the day.
The barrister requested the judge vacate the bench warrant. Judge Martin asked Mr McKiernan to explain his non appearance earlier in the day. The accused replied that he had been suffering with flu in recent days and had slept poorly last night due to his concern over the case and woke late.
He said when he realised he was late for the court he immediately contacted the prosecuting garda and his legal team to explain what had happened. He added that he was very apologetic and deeply embarrassed and had not intended any disrespect to the court. Judge Martin vacated the bench warrant and remanded the accused on bail to 29th May.
