Carol Cullen jailed for stealing €19,900

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Carol Cullen was jailed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after Judge Karen O’Connor imposed a two-year sentence, with the final 15 months suspended. The proceedings were reported on 3 July 2017.

Cullen, a care assistant, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from an elderly nursing-home resident and four counts of forgery of cheques. The offences were on dates between August 2014 and 2015.

The 86-year-old resident had given Cullen two cheques after the pair became friendly. Cullen then forged further cheques and stole a total of €19,900 from her account.

The court heard the money was used on household expenditure, including bills and things for Cullen’s four children. Cullen had co-operated with gardaí, made admissions and expressed remorse when interviewed.

Judge O’Connor described the offending as a significant breach of trust involving a vulnerable elderly woman. She said it involved multiple offences and was motivated by personal gain.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, said Cullen was not in a financial position to make redress and would have to borrow money, putting her family into debt.