CORRUPTION CHARGE |
Ronan Madden (36) appeared in court charged with corruption.
Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
A man accused of offering €40,000 to a professional League of Ireland player to get a red card in a soccer game has appeared in court charged with corruption.
Ronan Madden (36) was remanded on bail when he appeared before Blanchardstown District Court this morning.
He is facing trial by judge and jury in the circuit court after the DPP ruled that the allegation was too serious for the district court.
The accused, with an address at Kylegan, Kylebrack, Loughrea, Co Galway, is charged with corruptly offering a professional football player a gift of €40,000 as an inducement, or reward, for him to intentionally receive a red card during an unspecified football match.
Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
News in 90 Seconds – Wednesday, October 15
The incident allegedly took place at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, Co Donegal on February 17, 2024.
Detective Garda James McHugh, from the Anti-Corruption and Bribery Unit of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), gave evidence of arresting Mr Madden and later charging him with the offence.
Gda McHugh said the accused was handed a true copy of the charge sheet and he made no reply to the charge after caution.
Judge Mark O’Connell noted the charge related to an allegation of offering a professional footballer €40,000 for getting a red card in a match.
Gda McHugh said gardai had no objection to bail, subject to a sign on condition.
Judge O’Connell remanded the accused on bail in his own bond of €200. As part of his bail conditions Mr Madden must sign on once a week at Loughrea Garda Station.
Gda McHugh said the DPP had directed trial in the circuit court on the charge, and there was also consent to the accused going forward on a signed plea of guilty.
Defence lawyer Ciaran MacLoughlin said there was consent to a six week adjournment, and the case was adjourned to a date in December for the service of the book of evidence.
There was no application for free legal aid.
Mr Madden has not yet indicated how he intends pleading to the charge.