Courts / Dublin / Report
Man stole €10k from hospitalised pensioner's life savings
Summary
John McDonald, aged 58, was sentenced to 18 months in jail in May 2015 for stealing nearly €10,000 from the life savings of his 74‑year‑old friend, Matthew Murphy, while Murphy was hospitalised. McDonald had befriended Murphy, who was 80 at the time of the theft, and had given him an ATM card and PIN to manage his errands. When Murphy was admitted to hospital, McDonald withdrew €9,843 in 29 transactions. After Murphy's discharge, his account held only €15. McDonald pleaded guilty in 2012 and sought a postponement to repay the victim, claiming he had inherited €20,000 and needed time for the cheque to clear. He fled to Northern Ireland until 2015. He has 15 prior convictions, mainly for forgery and larceny.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man stole €10k from hospitalised pensioner's life savings. Charges or matters: nine sample counts of theft from Mr Murphy between December 2009 and February 2010 during various transactions around Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2015 Adjournment
- December 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2010 Other
- December 9 Adjournment
- 2016-12-22 Publication
Why: By Conor Gallagher and Sonya McLean A man who stole nearly €10,000 from his 74-year-old friend's life savings while the elderly man was in hospital has been sent back to jail because a judge doesn't believe he will ever compensate him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: nine sample counts of theft from Mr Murphy between December 2009 and February 2010 during various transactions around Dublin (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: John McDonald (58) was jailed for 18 months in May 2015 by Judge Martin Nolan. Yesterday Dean Kelly BL, defending, told Judge Nolan McDonald had "no funds available for compensation". "This case has a long history," Judge Nolan said. "I sentenced him on a certain basis, on certain submissions and promises made to the court.; McDonald pleaded guilty in 2012 and asked for the case to be adjourned so he could repay the victim.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- North Circular Road
- Dublin
- Tallaght
- Tallaght Hospital
Topics
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