Courts / Meath / Report

Care worker cleared on ten charges of stealing from elderly stroke victim

Summary

Sabrina O'Connor, a former care worker aged 37, was acquitted on ten charges of theft and deception after a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found her not guilty. The case involved allegations that she stole over €43,000 from an elderly stroke victim she cared for between June 2010 and December 2011. The jury could not reach verdicts on three counts and remanded her on continuing bail until July 9 to address those charges. O'Connor admitted that accepting money from a client was against her work policy and said she had been under pressure. She claimed she had attempted to repay the largest sum of €15,000 but the victim said the money was "in custody." The judge ordered that sum to be paid back to the complainant. The trial also covered allegations of bank account theft, use of cheques, and a vehicle purchase, but these were not resolved in the verdict.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Care worker cleared on ten charges of stealing from elderly stroke victim. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 2010 Adjournment
• December 2011 Adjournment
• July 9 Adjournment
• 2018-06-29 Publication

Why: She said the woman had also loaned her €15,000 to put down as a deposit on a house because "she wanted to help me out with my family. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial Theft

Related court reports

• Teen with "appalling" convictions drove stolen car through children's play areas
• Collins gang members jailed for using modified cars to steal from building sites
• Actions over collapse of Dolphin Trust resolved
• Five who were misled over assault apologise and offer €26k in compensation
• Injunction over sale of house discharged but court finds 'fair issue' raised
• Woman challenges permission for riding arena lights over epilepsy concerns

Read the original CNI report