A Benburb The man accused of lying to police about an accident and claiming his car was stolen will go on trial at the Crown Court next month.

Seamus John Conlon, of Milltown Road, appeared at Armagh Courtin Newry, charged with perverting the course of justice and fraud by false representation.

The 51-year-old confirmed his name and date of birth during the brief hearing on Tuesday.

Although none of the circumstances of the alleged offenses were read out in court, Conlon is accused of perverting the course of justice on September 30, 2023, when he “gave a witness statement stating that you knew nothing about your car being involved in an accident until you were contacted by the police, when in fact you were present in the car when the accident occurred’.

Additionally, on October 12, 2023, Conlon is accused of making “a false statement, namely, that your car was stolen on September 30, 2023, with intent to make the statement to obtain a gain for yourself or another, or to cause loss to the insurance company”.

The prosecution argued that based on the documents before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.

Defense counsel made no counter-argument, and District Judge Anne Marshall agreed there was “clearly a case to answer.”

Conlon will be returned to Newry Crown Court for a court hearing on December 10.

He was released on his own bail of £500 until that date.

Sign up for our newsletter