The trial of Independent Councillor Michael Fahy has opened at Galway Circuit Criminal Court.
Councillor Fahy has pleaded not guilty to charges of misappropriating more than €7,000 from Galway County Council.
The background to the case and the details of the charges set out against him were outlined to a jury of nine men and three women.
The charges relate to fencing erected on Cllr Fahy's farm in Caherduff, Ardrahan, a number of years ago as part of a road widening scheme approved by Galway County Council.
Today, Counsel for the State Conor Fahy told the jury that they would hear evidence that the work carried out on Cllr Fahy's private lands was solely for his benefit and was done under the false pretence that the work had been approved by the council.
The court heard how a Freedom of Information request regarding funding for work carried out under the Community Involvement Scheme led a Garda investigation which uncovered invoices submitted by Cllr Fahy in 2003 for the completion of work in Ardrahan which he claimed was not finished in 2002.
In court today, council official Daniel Barrett said there was no Community Involvement Scheme approved for Ardrahan in 2003.
The trial continues tomorrow.
