Courts / Wexford / Report

Woman found not guilty of stealing €102,000 from retired chef's bank account

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sandra Doyle, aged 37, was found not guilty of stealing over €102,000 from the AIB bank account of retired chef Fergus Brugha, aged 62. Doyle had pleaded not guilty to 131 theft charges covering transactions between September 2008 and May 2010, including payments to Ticketmaster, a veterinary clinic, a beauty clinic, a Dundrum credit union, and mobile phone top‑ups. Judge Patrick McCartan directed the jury to acquit, stating the evidence was "entirely confused and inconclusive" and that there was insufficient proof to sustain the charges. Doyle denied all allegations, claiming she had not made any payments without permission and had not used Brugha's card. The judge noted Brugha's own uncertainty about some transactions and his admission that he may have authorized certain payments, leaving the jury to decide which, if any, were authorized. The case concluded with Doyle's acquittal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman found not guilty of stealing €102,000 from retired chef's bank account. Charges or matters: 131 charges of theft at AIB Bank, Morehampton Road, Donnybrook between September 2008 and May 2010. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2011 Incident
• January 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-02-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Theft

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Read the original CNI report