16 charged with false insurance claims after staged traffic accidents in Cork
16 people have appeared before Cork District Court charged in connection with making false insurance claims as a result of staged traffic accidents.
The charges arise out of three crashes that occurred in Rochestown, Mitchelstown and Mallow in 2011 and 2012.
Ten men and six women were arrested as part of 'Operation Nascar', set up by the organised crime unit at Anglesea Garda Station in Cork.
They range in age from 22 – 60, with addresses in Cork and one in Tipperary.
The majority are charged with two counts each of deception and making a false claim, arising out of accidents at Monastery Hill, Rochestown in December 2011; Carrigane, Mitchelstown, in August 2012; and Clydagh Bridge, Mallow, in September 2012.
One defendant, Thomas Hayes from Cashel in Tipperary, is charged with six counts, while Rory Keating from Mallow is charged with four counts.
Six of the accused received compensation from their insurance companies for amounts ranging from €4,000 to €12,500. The DPP has directed that five of the accused be tried at the Circuit Court, while the remainder can be dealt with at the District Court.
All 16 have been remanded on bail.
