After multiple adjournments over almost two years a former member of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and her husband have finally been returned for trial on charges of fraud and false accounting, along with another woman.
Appearing for a committal hearing where Bernice Swift (55) who held the Erne West seat for 18 years, and her husband Kevin Gabriel Martin (47) from Glenlevan Road, Derrygonnelly along with Roisin Conlon (47) from Landbrock Road, Newtownbutler are each charged with 14 counts of fraud by abuse of position and six counts of false accounting.
It is alleged the three defendants abused their positions by acting against the financial interests of the Victims and Survivors Service by claiming cheques were paid out to persons for travel expenses and for goods and services including a residential stay in Armagh City Hotel, McPhillips Digital Media, Armagh Graphics, Fitzpatrick Fuels, Active Office Support, Office and Educational Supplies, and G&A Travel.
It is further alleged they furnished information or made use of a certain record or document required for accounting purposes knowing it was or might be misleading, false or deceptive namely receipts for a stay at the Armagh City Hotel and three stays at the Westport Hotel,
There are also two counts for the same charges involving quotations beingallegedly produced as opposed to receipts for stays at Hodson Bay Hotel and the Four Seasons hotel.
The offences are alleged to have occurred on various dates between 27 November 2018 and 5 September 2019.
Prosecuting counsel Michael McAleer told Dungannon Magistrates Court there is a case to answer.
However lawyers for all three accused challenged some of the evidence contending it did not meet the required threshold for prosecution, the specifics of this cannot be published at this stage.
Following consideration of the defence submissions Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said, “I’m satisfied the prosecution level is met for return to trial.”
The hearing proceeded during which the accused spoke only to confirm their identities and that they understood the charges.
They declined to call witnesses or give evidence on their behalf at this stage.
Judge McStay remanded them on £300 bail each and ordered them to appear for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court on 27 May.
News originally broke of former independent councillor Bernice Swift’s arrest in November 2020 when police confirmed she and her husband had been detained on suspicion of fraud.
They were later released on bail.
When contacted at the time then-councillor Bernice Swift said, “I cannot comment on any alleged arrests. There remains an ongoing investigation.”
Ahead of the last council elections in 2023, Ms Swift announced she would not be seeking re-election to her Erne West seat, which she had held for 18 years, and was leaving the political scene to take on a new role.
She was replaced on the Ballot Paper by Paul McGoldrick but he failed to retain the seat which was instead taken by Sinn Fein.
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