Portrush woman accused of using Mrs Brown's Boys ruse to scam charity

According to court documents the charges relate to a raffle and dinner dance in aid of the Westville Family Resource Centre in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

One of the charges alleges she defrauded Gareth Woods, a producer on the hit BBC comedy show, by claiming that cast members would attend money-raising events in March 2017.

McMullan is also accused of cheating Desmond Motors in February that year by claiming the car was being used for the prize draw.

She is alleged to have defrauded the firm a further four times on dates in February, May and July by forwarding a cheque to the company with no means to pay.

McMullan is also accused of accepting money for a raffle with intent to cause loss to a woman in April and of defrauding the Westville Family Resource Centre by selling raffle tickets for the car on dates between March and September 2017.

She is also claimed to have sold tickets to a dinner dance in aid of the charity on the same dates, again with intent to cause loss to the centre.

Following a brief hearing before Enniskillen Magistrates Court last week, District Judge Laura Ivers adjourned the case until January 20 to fix a date for the contest hearing.

McMullan, of Old Castle Court in Portrush, didn't have to appear in court and was remanded on continuing bail. When we called to her home on Friday she declined to comment.

According to local reports the Westville Family Resource Centre closed in August 2017 citing "financial constraints".

Documents filed with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland state its objectives were the "promotion of positive family values through a range of services delivered in the home and through group sessions".

Among the organisation's funders were the Office of the First and deputy First Minister, the Sisters of Mercy and Fermanagh District Council.

Founded in Enniskillen in 1997, it was also well known in the area for its fundraising event called Not So Strictly Come Dancing.

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