Courts / Galway / Report
Principal avoids jail for stealing €44k in 'appalling breach of trust'
Summary
Marcus Wynne, 41, principal of Grace Park Educate Together National School in Drumcondra, was found guilty of stealing €44,370 from the school between August 2016 and January 2019. He used the school bank card to withdraw cash and purchase items such as groceries, fuel, hotels, jewellery, clothing, taxis, holidays and restaurants, and forged invoices to cover the missing money. He pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft and eight counts of producing a false instrument. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to a suspended three‑year term, ordering him to repay €30,000 immediately and to save the remaining €14,370 over two years. The court noted his addiction problems and that he had no prior convictions. He has since worked in a factory and is likely to be struck off the teachers' register.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Principal avoids jail for stealing €44k in 'appalling breach of trust'. Charges or matters: nine counts of theft and eight counts of producing a false instrument at various locations in Dublin and Galway between 2016 and 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2019 Incident
- October 2020 Incident
- April 2021 Incident
- 2016 and 2019 Other
- 2022-10-11 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: nine counts of theft and eight counts of producing a false instrument at various locations in Dublin and Galway between 2016 and 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A national school principal who stole more than €44,000 from his school over a three-year period in an "appalling breach of trust" has been given a suspended three year sentence. Marcus Wynne (41) broke down in tears in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today when Judge Martin Nolan ruled that although he had let his former school community down, he did not deserve a custodial sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Grace Park
Topics
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