Simon John Deegan ordered to perform 84 hours of community service after stealing funds from the Triabunna Fire Brigade

A Supreme Court judge has slammed the ex-treasurer of a volunteer fire brigade for stealing funds, an act that he described as ‘a despicable thing to do to a community organisation’.

Simon John Deegan when he was a volunteer firefighter with the Triabunna Fire Brigade. Picture: The Mercury.

A court has heard how the ex-treasurer of a volunteer fire brigade used the organisation’s funds to buy groceries, vehicle tyres and other personal goods during a two-and-a-half-year period.

Simon John Deegan pleaded guilty to one count of fraud for stealing $2308.52 from the Triabunna Fire Brigade.

The now 42-year-old applied for a debit card linked to the brigade’s bank account without the knowledge of anyone else within the organisation and used it for personal purchases between August 2019 and May 2022.

During sentencing, Justice Robert Pearce said the purchases were made in-person and online.

“You concealed your fraud by failing, despite repeated requests, to provide the usual financial reporting to the organisation and keeping records from the other officers,” Justice Pearce said.

“Your failure eventually led to others making independent enquiries, and the police were eventually notified.”

Police interviewed Deegan in late 2022.

“You did not initially concede your dishonesty and told lies about what had happened, but when you were confronted with evidence, you admitted what you had done,” Justice Pearce said.

“You claimed that you intended to pay the money back. You also admitted that there were donations which you did not bank.”

Justice Robert Pearce. Supreme of Tasmania judges. Picture: SUPPLIED

Justice Pearce said at the time the crimes were committed, Deegan had been experiencing “personal and financial distress” arising from the breakdown of his marriage.

“The most serious aspect of the crime is the breach of trust.

“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.”

Justice Pearce recorded a conviction and ordered Deegan to perform 84 hours of community service as punishment for his crimes.

He was also issued a two-year community corrections order and must repay the money he stole to the Triabunna Fire Brigade.