Engineer (22) attending Donegal rally convicted for using forged notes

An engineer who travelled to the Donegal International Rally at the weekend has appeared in court after trying to pass off forged notes in a bar.

Robbie Creamer (22) appeared before Letterkenny District Court after being arrested at Sister Sara’s Bar in Letterkenny on Sunday.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that gardaí had received a call from staff at the bar saying a forged note had been passed to them by a customer.

Gardaí attended the bar and arrested Mr Creamer, of Lisheen, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

When he was taken to Letterkenny Garda station, gardaí searched him and found 10 forged €20 notes.

Sgt Collins said when Creamer was interviewed he claimed he was in Donegal for the rally weekend and found himself with no money.

He said he had been offered the forged money while staying at a local campsite and thought it was wise to take it and spend it at a local bar.

Sgt Collins said the accused was very apologetic and made full admissions.

Solicitor for the accused, Donna Crampsie, said it was her instructions that her client, who had been accompanied to court by his parents, had found the notes at the campsite.

Ms Crampsie added her client was an electronics engineer with no previous convictions.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham said it was a “foolish situation” in which Creamer had found himself.

“I’m sure your parents are very disappointed that you came to Donegal and embarked on such behaviour,” the judge added.

Noting he had no previous convictions, and had attended court and tendered a plea, Judge Cunningham said she hoped the accused had “learnt a salutary lesson”.

She convicted Cramer, and fined him €500, which he has six months to pay.