A former volunteer firefighter who stole more than $2,000 from the small rural brigade he served for 25 years has been sentenced to community service.
Simon John Deegan, 42, appeared in the Supreme Court in Hobart on charges of fraud after stealing $2,380.52 from the Triabunna Fire Brigade account between 2019 and 2022.
Justice Robert Pearce said Deegan, who was the brigade’s treasurer at the time, applied for a debit card in his name linked to the account without the knowledge of other members.
He then used the card to divert funds into his own account over two and a half years, making purchases for fuel, medicine, groceries, vehicle tyres, food and personal goods.
The court heard that Deegan concealed his fraud by failing to provide regular financial reports and keeping records from other officers, despite repeated requests.
His deception was eventually uncovered by other brigade members, leading to a police investigation.
Justice Pearce said Deegan initially lied to officers but later admitted his actions when confronted with evidence.
He claimed that he intended to pay the money back and admitted that he had also failed to bank donations.
“There is not a large sum of money involved. At the relevant time you were in circumstances of personal and financial distress arising from the breakdown of your marriage,” Pearce said.
“Your five children, now aged between 7 and 16, were removed by your wife for a prolonged period but eventually returned to you. You are now responsible for their care.”
Pearce said Deegan’s actions marked the end of his “long attachment” to the fire service.
“Organisations which entrust the management of money to officers and employees are entitled to expect honesty from them and those who breach that trust must expect punishment.”
“You planned what you were doing and repeated it over a prolonged period. It was a despicable thing to do to a community organisation which obtained money from donations and fundraising.”
Deegan was convicted and ordered to pay compensation to the fire brigade.
He was also sentenced to two years of community corrections work, including 84 hours of unpaid labour.
