Courts / Dublin / Report
Child porn accused stole €14k while working at Motor Tax Office
Summary
John O'Donoghue, a 38‑year‑old former cashier at the Motor Tax Office in Dublin, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended for stealing €14,293 from his employer between March and August 2017. He pleaded guilty to representative counts of theft and false accounting. The thefts were uncovered when a customer's payment for motor tax arrears was found missing, prompting a review of CCTV and paperwork that revealed O'Donoghue had pocketed the money and falsified cashier summaries. He admitted to heavy drinking, spending €50–€100 daily on alcohol, and had used the stolen funds for that purpose. O'Donoghue had previously admitted to child‑pornography offences but had not yet been charged at the time of the thefts, and he had lost his job in September 2017. The judge noted his stress, cooperation, and lack of enrichment in determining the sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Child porn accused stole €14k while working at Motor Tax Office. Charges or matters: representative counts of theft and of false accounting at the Motor Tax Office, Blackhall Walk, Smithfield, on dates between March and August 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2017 Other
- 2018-05-01 Publication
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: representative counts of theft and of false accounting at the Motor Tax Office, Blackhall Walk, Smithfield, on dates between March and August 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: John O'Donoghue (38) is currently serving a four year sentence with the final two years suspended after being sentenced in March for possession and distribution of child pornography. Judge Codd imposed a four sentence and suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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