Latest news with #Prosecutions
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork woman charged with stealing €70k from well-known Kinsale restaurant remanded on bail
A Cork woman who faces more than 300 charges in relation to the alleged theft of more than €70,000 from a well-known Kinsale restaurant owned by TV chef Martin Shanahan has been remanded on bail at Kinsale District Court sitting in Bandon. Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told the court there was a query with the book of evidence that was currently being prepared. Solicitor Daithí Ó'Donnabhain representing Nessa Gilsenan, aged 51, of Copper Beech House, Mellifontstown, Kinsale agreed on behalf of his client who was not present in court to appear before the court again in July. Judge Joanne Carroll remanded Ms Gilsenan on continuing bail to appear on July 28 for service of the book of evidence on all matters. Ms Gilsenan faces a total of 131 charges relating to the alleged theft of more than €70,000 from the Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale, Co Cork. The accused faces more than 100 charges of theft relating to alleged offences on dates from 2017 to 2022, as well as further charges relating to alleged false accounting. It is alleged the former employee stole amounts varying from under €100 to over €1,000 from the restaurant. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that Ms Gilsenan be returned for trial on indictment at a previous hearing. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bursar of Irish private school jailed for stealing €500k to fund gambling habit
A bursar of a private secondary school has been jailed for one year for stealing half a million euros from the school to fund a gambling addiction. The judge said that, despite mitigation, including her selling her home and signing over her pension to repay most of the money, the "egregious breach of trust" had to be marked with a custodial sentence. Mary Higgins, 63, with an address at Hawthorn Lawn, Castleknock, was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. She had pleaded guilty to stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod between January 1, 2012, and March 23, 2017. The court heard last month that she had spent 12 years attending the school and 24 years working there. Judge Crowe remarked on Thursday that it was "an unusual situation for a woman of her age, whose life revolved around her work in that school and who developed a gambling problem". However, she said that Higgins was in a position of trust and had "committed what was an egregious breach of trust over an extended period of time". She described as an aggravating factor the "considerable amount of money" involved. The court previously heard that she told Gardaí that she had hoped and prayed every day for 'a big win' to pay the school back. At a previous hearing, Detective Garda Brendan O'Hora stated that Higgins had controlled all aspects of the school's cash flow, was the main signatory on its bank accounts, and managed the lodgements. When cash was received in the school, it was placed in a folder for her, and she decided how it was to be allocated. He explained that, while parents received receipts, there was no cash receipts book, no copy of receipts was ever kept, and there was no oversight. However, it was another employee who prepared ledger cards for each child attending the school. This employee noticed that, from time to time, they were rewritten by Ms Higgins. She also noticed that the accounts were always late and never up to date. The principal was informed, and, in March 2017, it was decided that an auditor would be brought in to help the defendant. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Higgins told the principal that she had taken cash from the school over time and used it for her gambling addiction. She said she had taken about €500,000 and that she had a property she could sell. She was so distressed that the school was concerned for her well-being and suggested she attend her GP. She was placed on administrative leave. The school engaged an accountant, but due to the dearth of records, the exact amount taken or the period of time concerned could not be identified with certainty. The Director of Public Prosecutions proceeded on the basis of the defendant's own admissions. Detective Garda O'Hora said that Higgins had cooperated fully with Gardaí and the forensic accountant. She had stressed she was the only person involved in the theft and was very anxious that nobody else would be blamed. She stated during interview that she had spent all of the money on gambling and was able to identify money having been paid to bookies. The detective explained that she was able to hide what she'd been doing as some fees were paid in advance. She worked a year ahead, so students were not affected, and all children attending the school had their fees paid. She had no previous convictions and had since repaid €470,949.62. Under cross-examination from Ronan Kennedy SC, defending, the detective agreed that this was an unsophisticated offence, where she was stealing cash that she was responsible for lodging into bank accounts. He accepted that she'd had unfettered access to the cash due to a lack of oversight, meaning it wasn't difficult to carry out. Detective Garda O'Hora agreed that she was in crisis and couldn't live with herself anymore, and came forward to disclose her addiction and what she had done. She had attended voluntary meetings with the principal and chairperson of the board of management, who had urged her to get medical advice for her gambling disorder. Another staff member told investigators that she had always been very professional in school. She had noticed that Higgins seemed to be betting on horses in recent years, but didn't realise it was an addiction. The court heard that she was very remorseful during her interviews with the Gardaí. She told them that she had spent 36 years at the school, was not married, had no children and that her job was her life. Detective Garda O'Hora added that her social life, too, and therefore her whole life, had revolved around the school. She told them that she would hope and pray every day that she'd have a big win and pay back the money. 'The hole just seemed to get bigger,' remarked the detective. 'I believe she showed true remorse,' he added. 'Notwithstanding what she'd done, she was a pleasure to deal with.' The court heard that she had attended the Rutland Centre for her addiction and still attends Gamblers Anonymous, where she had served as a secretary, giving her time voluntarily. She had also engaged with counsellors for personal therapy. Higgins returned to education in the eight years since the offence came to light, studying addiction and counselling so she could use her own experience to help others. She'd received a postgraduate qualification from Trinity College and a Master's degree in counselling psychotherapy and has been providing voluntary counselling services to others. The court heard that she had sold her home and another apartment, and had also signed over her pension to repay the money. 'Checks have been carried out, and any properties or money she had has been paid over to the school,' confirmed the detective. She now lives with her 93-year-old mother and receives €260 per week in carer's allowance to provide the 24-hour care she needs. Detective Garda O'Hora said that all of the money had been used to feed gambling; bank statements showed significant amounts were paid to large bookmakers, and that she had been allowed to continue to bet. Mr Kennedy asked him if she had suffered a significant fall from grace. 'Her whole life appears to have revolved around the school, and she was highly regarded within that circle,' he said. 'I think she's tackled her issues head-on and has gone above and beyond in tackling her issues, in terms of what I've seen in my career,' he added. He said that she had worked hard for the school and that, while the offence had an impact on the school, losing her also had an impact. He confirmed that the school had since changed its system. 'It's a remarkably sad and tragic case,' said Mr Kennedy, explaining that she had asked him to publicly apologise to the entire school community. He said that she was from a family of four and had been born in the United States. Her own father had been afflicted with alcohol and gambling problems and had suffered a fatal heart attack in her presence when she was three years old. This had led to her having emotional disturbances for which her mother had sought treatment. The family moved to Ireland when she was six. Mr Kennedy said that during her time at Mount Sackville, she had overseen maintenance and capital building, with €7 million in profits reinvested into the school. Things changed in 2012, and some responsibilities were removed from her, impacting her self-esteem. She found herself having more time on her hands and, with no hobbies, she engaged in the secretive activity of gambling. He said that studying formulas and bets became all-consuming. 'She was living a double life,' he said. He noted that there was a shortfall of €29,000 in what she had repaid, but said that she was committed to paying it back if made a condition of her sentence. It would take time, however, as her only source of income is now carer's allowance. Counsel handed in several testimonials from current and former staff at the school, including a former principal and deputy principal. Letters from family members were also handed in, including from her elderly mother, who spoke of her unwavering love and support to her and her regret that she didn't see the signs of gambling. Her brother, who had travelled from New York for the court case, wrote of how 'gambling has destroyed a life so well lived in kindness'. 'She recognises the gravity of what she has done,' said Mr Kennedy, asking for leniency. 'She's already lost her job in a very public fall from grace and has hit every branch on the way down.' The judge asked on that occasion why the matter had only now come forward, and was told that this was due to the length of time it took to complete the forensic accountant's report. Judge Crowe noted on Thursday that the delay was not of her making and that this matter had been hanging over her. She noted that she had engaged in a 'teeming and ladling system', with the accounts always being done on a late basis. She approached the school after the irregularities had become apparent for the first time. She said that the matter was sufficiently serious to be marked with a custodial penalty. Judge Crowe imposed a three-year sentence but, in light of the substantial mitigation, she suspended the final two years on her own bond of €100. Higgins stood and entered the bond before being led away by prison officers to begin her jail term.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Judge refuses to relax bail for Dublin carer accused of rape threat and extortion
Thomas McAuley allegedly threatened, 'I am going to rape you and break your pelvis, and then I am going to lock you in a horsebox until I get what I want' A judge has refused to relax bail for a Dublin carer accused of extortion and telling a woman he would rape her and confine her to a horsebox 'until I get what I want'. Thomas McAuley, 25, of Shamrock Terrace, North Strand, Dublin 1, has been charged with extortion and three other alleged offences. He appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court, asking her to lighten his bail conditions imposed earlier. After being charged in April, he was granted bail to sign on daily at a Garda station, obey a curfew, and remain contactable by mobile phone. Defence solicitor, Conor Ruane, said the accused cared for his aunt and was looking for work. He described the signing on term and the curfew, which has been strictly monitored, as prohibitive. Thomas McAuley News in 90 Seconds - June 18th Garda Darragh O'Connor agreed there had been no breaches of the terms. However, he opposed the application, and Judge Finan said she would not change the terms. The case was adjourned until September for Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to be outlined. Judge Finan noted the rationale in the application, adding that it could be renewed on the next date. Mr McAuley, who is on a carer's allowance, has yet to enter a plea. He is accused of extortion by demanding €5,500 on March 22 from a woman in north inner city Dublin. The charge alleges he demanded the cash, 'Or I am going to drag you into a van, I am going to rape you and break your pelvis, and then I am going to lock you in a horsebox until I get what I want.' He also has a charge for threatening to kill or cause her serious harm on the same date. Mr McAuley, who did not address the court, was also accused of robbery of clothing worth €50 from a male at another location in the city centre's north side on March 21 and assault with intent to cause him bodily harm on the same date. It has yet to be decided whether or not his case would remain in the District Court or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Annie McCarrick remains dig continues as murder probe cops examine phones & laptops for evidence after suspect released
THE suspect in Annie McCarrick's murder walked from garda custody flanked by his solicitor today - after a cadaver dog was drafted into the site gardai are digging up as they search for her body. The Irish Sun can reveal that although the 62-year-old was released without charge today , cops are examining a number of old devices, phones and laptops, from his Co Advertisement 4 The search is expected to continue over the weekend Credit: 4 A cadaver dog was brought in to assist the gardai's search for her body Credit: 4 Tragic Annie McCarrick has been missing for over 30 years Credit: Copyright remains with handout provider The businessman became the first ever person to be arrested in relation to the missing American when detectives sensationally swooped on his home on Thursday morning before 8am. We have learned that he made no admissions, is understood to have denied Specialist investigators quizzed him over more than five separate alibis which the They are also investigating claims that the man - who was known to Annie - assaulted her while he was drunk in an incident prior to her vanishing. Advertisement READ MORE ON ANNIE MCCARRICK He walked out of Irishtown Garda Station in Almost 17 kilometres away in Clondalkin, a cadaver dog - used to pick up and track the scent of human remains - was drafted into a property on the second day of the search. The house has been renovated significantly over the years and its current occupiers have no connection with the case whatsoever. The canine, which was loaned to the force by the Advertisement Most read in Irish News Latest Work at the site today involved a mini digger, a concrete saw, a kango hammer and other equipment. The machinery is being used in the small front driveway and in the 100ft rear back garden. Gardai 'committed to uncovering the truth' of Annie McCarrick's murder and disappearance The search - being carried out in a bid to get answers for Annie's heartbroken relatives to an end - will continue over the weekend. It's understood that no file to the Director of Public Prosecutions is imminent on the arrested suspect, who will only be re-arrested if new information comes to light on his alleged involvement in Annie's disappearance in March 1993. Advertisement 'PERSON OF INTEREST' The man was classified as a 'person of interest' in the early years of the probe. Following the re-classification of the case two years ago, when it was upgraded to Gardai spoke to the second man overseas before arresting the suspect this week. The seizure of Advertisement The upgrade of the case also saw new information come to light from the public regarding the house in Clondalkin, which is now being dug up. 'REMAINS A SUSPECT' A source told 'There are seized items which are being looked at while other areas of investigation into him, his alibis and other matters are continuing. 'This is all off the back of fresh information gardai have got over recent years which was then coupled with reviewing what evidence had already been gathered. A vast amount of work has gone in. Advertisement 'The search of the house remains a very much live operation.' The suspect is married, has children and runs a business. Sources say he has lived a 'comfortable' life over the years. PROBE PLANS The major operation is being led by an investigation team from the DMR South Central Division, Serious Crime Unit based at Irishtown Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer. Their ongoing work will now involve speaking to others again who they believe may have not told crucial details when they previously interacted with gardai. Advertisement Originally from the Speaking today, Annie's family's US 'VERY OPTIMISTIC' He said: 'I'm a very optimistic lawyer. I hope that one day it will have been solved and over the years I've gone to Ireland, I've got some friends there. 'I've made it my business to be interviewed by the garda, by the local press to try to keep the embers burning and I'm delighted to know that there's been an arrest, although there is no conviction at this point, there's only an arrest. Advertisement 'So let's see what the next developments will be.' Gardai said that they will continue to keep the family of Annie fully updated in relation to the investigation and have been fully apprised of the developments. They urged anyone with information to come forward, promising it will be treated with the 'strictest confidence.' A spokesman said: 'The investigation team can be contacted at Irishtown Garda Station on 01 666 9600 or anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line: 1800 666 111.' Advertisement 4 McCarrick's family lawyer remains 'optimistic' that the case will be solved
Irish Examiner
12-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Woman charged over fatal St Stephen's Day hit-and-run in Dublin
A woman in her 30s has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the lives of two pedestrians in Blanchardstown, Dublin, on St Stephen's Day last year. She has been released on bail and is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on June 17 at 10.30am. Georgina Hogg Moore (39) and Anthony Hogg (40) died after being struck by a car while crossing the road near Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. They had been walking home to the nearby Whitestown estate with their daughter Becky and another pedestrian at the time. A man in his 40s who was arrested earlier this week in connection with the investigation has been released without charge. Gardaí said a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigations are ongoing.
