Man used his brother’s name and signature on statement made in garda station

A 27-year-old man falsely used his brother’s name while making a statement to gardaí, and then forged his brother’s signature on the statement.

Anthony Ferguson of 10 Carraig Craobh, Letterkenny was before Donegal District Court on Monday. 

He pleaded guilty to making the false witness statement which he then signed in the name of his brother Paul Ferguson. The offence took place at Ballyshannon Garda Station on January 24, 2021.

Inspector David Durkin told the court that the defendant had been brought to the garda station to make a witness statement in relation to an assault and dangerous driving by another person.

As part of the follow-up enquiries, gardaí  called to the Ferguson family home.

The defendant later phoned  Ballyshannon Garda Station and admitted that he had used his brother’s name instead of his own.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian stressed that his client had nothing to do with the offences for which his client had been making the statement. He had been a passenger in a vehicle which was involved in an incident. 

“There was an assault and dangerous driving none of which are attributed to him,” said Mr Dorrian. 

“He was taken to the garda station. The answers he gave are correct. The information he gave is correct.”

The solicitor explained that his client was on bail on other charges at the time. 

“He mistakenly believed that any involvement like this would damage his bail status,” said Mr Dorrian, adding: “He was a little compromised by alcohol and his rationale was affected. 

“When the enquiries broadened, he admitted that he gave someone else’s name. 

“While not acceptable, it is perhaps understandable.”

Judge Sandra Murphy said there were two elements, firstly the false name and secondly the forged signature, which she said was a very serious matter. 

Mr Dorrian replied:” It is not forging the name like on a cheque. There is no real detriment here.”

However, Judge Murphy said: “He did it in the garda station in the context of giving a statement  to the gardaí. That is quite a serious matter.

“There is a fair amount of criminal intent in that.”

The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions when the offence was committed. But there had since been a conviction that postdated the offence. 

Mr Dorrian outlined a number of difficult issues in his client’s life, added that Ferguson was under the supervision of the Probation Welfare Service.

Judge Murphy adjourned the matter until April for preparation of a Probation Report.