Courts / Meath / Report

Reformed alcoholic stole from addiction charity he helped found

Date
2020-10-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ashbourne

County
Meath

Summary

James McShane, 55, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to multiple thefts from the addiction charity LifeRing Ireland, of which he was a co‑founder, and to six false‑accounting charges and one deception charge. The thefts, occurring between 18 February 2013 and 21 September 2017, amounted to almost €36,000, which McShane has fully repaid by borrowing money from his brother and wife. He also repaid the money taken in the false‑accounting cases. McShane, who has no prior convictions, described the offences as "shameful" and offered a heartfelt apology. Judge Elma Sheahan, noting his status as a reformed alcoholic, imposed 200 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence, recognising that the debt had been repaid in full. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further convictions or appeals reported.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Reformed alcoholic stole from addiction charity he helped found. Charges or matters: multiple thefts from LifeRing Ireland at AIB Grafton Street, Dublin 2, on dates between February 18, 2013 and September 21, 2017; six charges of false accounting on dates between March 1, 2014 and August 30, 2018, and to one charge of deception on October 17, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 18, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
September 21, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
March 1, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
August 30, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
October 17, 2018 Other
2020-10-08 Publication

Why: Mr Spencer said the offences were something his client had not intended, but they occurred because he had seen a path to make his life easier as he had access to the funds and kept going back to the account. CNI source report

Case subjects

James McShane

Defendant

Charges: multiple thefts from LifeRing Ireland at AIB Grafton Street, Dublin 2, on dates between February 18, 2013 and September 21, 2017; six charges of false accounting on dates between March 1, 2014 and August 30, 2018, and to one charge of deception on October 17, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Sheahan imposed 200 hours community service in lieu of a two and half year suspended sentence.