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"Unofficial carer" stole €42k from grieving pensioner
Summary
During a sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 67‑year‑old Marie McNally, a grieving pensioner whose sons were shot dead, accused her 30‑year‑old carer Laura Pennick of stealing €41,935 from her between January 2010 and December 2012. McNally said Pennick, who had become her "unofficial carer" after the deaths of her sons and her own ill health, accessed her ATM cards and bank accounts, including the €42,000 inheritance from her mother's house sale, and withdrew money for personal expenses such as home improvements, fashion, furnishings and holidays. Pennick pleaded guilty to the thefts. McNally's solicitor, Damien Colgan SC, noted Pennick's 29 previous convictions, including five thefts. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case for one year, ordering Pennick to return €1,100 to McNally within 14 days and to save €100 a week for the victim, while keeping a custodial sentence open. The matter will return to court on 4 December next year.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Unofficial carer" stole €42k from grieving pensioner. Charges or matters: thefts totalling €41,935 from Marie McNally between January 2010 and December 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 4 Adjournment
- 2016-11-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: thefts totalling €41,935 from Marie McNally between January 2010 and December 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Marie McNally (67) took to her feet during the sentence hearing of her carer Laura Pennick at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today and asked Judge Melanie Greally for permission to speak, saying she was "bursting to say something". "She took advantage of me when my sons were shot," Ms McNally told the court. "She robbed me of every penny I had.
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