Spiritual Medium Receives Suspended Sentence for Acting as Director While Disqualified

 Dublin, Ireland: A spiritual medium has been handed a nine-month suspended sentence after illegally acting as a director for a spiritual wedding and funeral business while under a company directorship disqualification. Tom Colton, 49, of The Park, St Wolstan's Abbey, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Colton, a former rugby player and accountant, was disqualified from acting as a company director for five years following a theft conviction in 2014. He had received a four-year prison sentence with the final 18 months suspended for the theft of €322,000, triggering the automatic disqualification on December 5, 2014.

Despite this, an investigation by the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) revealed that Colton acted as a director at Grá agus Solas ULC between August 2016 and May 2018. He had filed company registration documents using his Irish name, Tomás Mac Cultan, when the business was established in 2016. The court heard that Grá agus Solas provided celebrant services for weddings, funerals, and baby-naming ceremonies.

Detective Garda Gary Callanan informed the court that Colton admitted to acting in a prohibited manner as both a director and secretary of Grá Agus Solas, located at Unit 3, The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Park, Nangor Road in Dublin. He also admitted to being directly involved in the formation and management of the company.

Colton told Gardaí that he used his Irish name to avoid media attention following his theft conviction and claimed he only became aware of his disqualification later. The court also heard that Colton had a previous conviction under the Companies Act from Dublin District Court for acting as a statutory auditor without the necessary approval.

During cross-examination, Detective Garda Callanan agreed with the defense that the court had not explicitly mentioned the directorship disqualification on the day of Colton's theft conviction. He also accepted that Colton resigned from his position at Grá agus Solas immediately after becoming aware of the disqualification in 2018, four years before the CEA investigation.

Cathal Ó Braonáin BL, defending, stated that Colton had started Grá agus Solas with his wife, and the company currently subcontracts to 60 celebrants. He presented a letter from Colton's wife, detailing the significant difficulties she would face if her husband were incarcerated, particularly given her recent stroke in 2021 and subsequent heart surgery in 2022, which has affected her memory.

Judge Sinead Ní Chúlacháin acknowledged that there was no formal system in place to inform individuals about automatic disqualifications. She recognized the value of Colton's guilty plea, noting that a trial would likely have been complex, especially as this was the first prosecution of its kind. The judge also considered testimonials describing Colton as a family man and community volunteer, particularly in youth sports. His consent to a longer disqualification period than might have been imposed was seen as evidence of remorse.

Ultimately, Judge Ní Chúlacháin imposed a nine-month prison sentence but suspended it in full. She also disqualified Tom Colton from being a company director for 10 years. This case highlights the responsibilities of company directors and the consequences of breaching disqualification orders.