Bookkeeper who stole thousands from creche "always intended to pay it back"

A 61-year-old woman from Virginia, County Cavan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing approximately €14,000 from Ballyfermot Resource Centre in Dublin during 2011 and 2012. Elizabeth Ingram worked as a bookkeeper at the resource centre for eight years prior to the offences. During a routine audit, financial discrepancies were identified. When confronted by management in June 2012, Ingram admitted taking the money and subsequently provided a bank draft for full repayment. She told gardaí in interviews that she had always intended to repay the funds, which she had taken to cover personal bills by withdrawing small amounts from creche payments over several weeks. She also admitted to stealing €800 from the centre's restaurant. Ingram, who has no previous convictions, has since lost her employment. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to October 20th pending a probation report.