Courts / Dublin / Report
'Emotionally unbearable': woman jailed for stealing over €200k from close family friend
Summary
Faye Buckley, aged 43, was jailed for 18 months after stealing €204,834 from her employer, music booking agency Audio Networks, over a six‑year period. She diverted client booking deposits into her personal account, exploiting her close friendship with employer Mark Downing, who had been her best man at her wedding. Buckley pleaded guilty to seven of 71 theft counts between May 2014 and May 2020. She admitted compulsive gambling as the motive and expressed remorse, offering €45,000 to Downing and moving in with her mother‑in‑law to save money for repayment. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to two and a half years, suspending the final year on strict conditions, including handing over the €45,000 within 11 months of release. Downing's victim impact statement highlighted the emotional betrayal and financial harm caused by the theft. Buckley has prior convictions, including a 2004 dangerous driving offence. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Emotionally unbearable': woman jailed for stealing over €200k from close family friend. Charges or matters: seven out of 71 sample counts of theft from her employer on dates between May 2014 and May 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-10-10 Publication
Why: A woman who stole more than €200,000 over a six-year period from her music booking agency employer – a close friend who stood best man at her wedding – in order to fund her gambling addiction has been jailed for 18 months. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: seven out of 71 sample counts of theft from her employer on dates between May 2014 and May 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Buckley also took the stand at her sentence hearing and tearfully apologised directly to Mr Downing and his family, saying: "I'm so sorry. He sentenced Buckley to two and a half years in prison and suspended the final year on strict conditions including that she hands over €45,000 to Mr Downing within 11 months of being released from prison.
Places mentioned
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request