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Grandmother who stole blank cheques ordered to come up with compensation or face custodial sentence
Summary
In Balbriggan District Court, 42‑year‑old Linda Murphy, a cleaner, pleaded guilty to stealing four blank cheques from her employers, Jack and Terry Maloney, between February and August 2013. She cashed one cheque for €320 and did not cash the other three. Murphy had made voluntary statements to Gardaí and admitted the theft. Her solicitor described her as a mother of three, recently homeless, now living in Balbriggan, caring for a three‑year‑old grandchild, and undergoing a divorce. Judge Dermot Dempsey questioned her willingness to pay compensation, noting she had no money to offer. He ordered her to provide compensation by June or face a custodial sentence and remanded her on continuing bail until 26 June, when she will appear again. The case remains at the pleading stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Grandmother who stole blank cheques ordered to come up with compensation or face custodial sentence. Charges or matters: the theft of four blank cheques from her employers Jack and Terry Maloney of Skerries Road, Balbriggan on dates between February 1st, 2013 and August 23rd, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 1st, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 23rd, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 26th Adjournment
- 2014-05-15 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the theft of four blank cheques from her employers Jack and Terry Maloney of Skerries Road, Balbriggan on dates between February 1st, 2013 and August 23rd, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: They let her into their house and she stole from them. 'They shouldn't have to wait any longer to be compensated.' Judge Dempsey has given the defendant until June to come up with the required compensation, otherwise, he said, 'she is facing a custodial sentence.' 'She is not out of the woods when she pays the money.; I don't want any excuses and I am proceeding regardless with the case.' He remanded Murphy on continuing bail until June 26th when she will appear before the court again.
Places mentioned
- Balbriggan
- Balbriggan District Court
- Skerries
- Skerries Road
- Balbriggan
Topics
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