Courts / Dublin / Report

Cinema manager "whittled away" stolen €200k on gambling

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, John Connolly, a 38‑year‑old general manager of IMC Cinema in Santry, admitted stealing €217,203 from his employer between April 2016 and July 2018. Connolly claimed he was heavily drinking and suffering mental health issues, and that he had intended to return the money. He said the thefts were largely used to fund gambling, mainly on the lotto, and that at one point he was one number away from winning €250,000. Connolly had both keys to the cinema's main safe after a security provider change in 2016, giving him access to the takings. The cinema's directors discovered a shortfall in May 2018, prompting a Garda investigation. Connolly pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and the judge adjourned sentencing, remanding him on continuing bail until 28 February 2020 for psychiatric and probation reports.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cinema manager "whittled away" stolen €200k on gambling. Charges or matters: theft of sums of cash from IMC Cinema, Omni Park, Santry on dates between April 2016 and July 2018. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• April 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2018 Other
• June 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 28 2020 Adjournment
• 2019-12-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft

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Read the original CNI report