A FORMER treasurer of a masonic lodge appeared in court today charged with stealing around £120,000 from the organisation.
Stanley William Murphy, from Broomhill Court in Magheralin, appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he denied a total of 15 offences.
The 63-year old Co Down man is facing a charge of fraud by abuse of position, as well as 14 separate counts of theft.
Murphy was charged with, and denied, intending to make a gain for himself or cause a loss to another by abusing his position as treasurer in which he was expected to safeguard or not act against the interests of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim.
The offence relates to a period between January 14 2007 and July 9 2009.
Murphy was also charged with 14 separate counts of theft, and he is accused of stealing around £120,000 in varying amounts on dates between July 2006 and July 2009.
After Murphy entered not guilty pleas to all the charges against him, his solicitor said his client was a "man of previously good character."
Revealing the crux of the case concerned cheques lodged into bank accounts, the solicitor said part of Murphy's defence was that signatures may have been forged.
Murphy was released on bail ahead of his trial which is due to begin on June 14.
