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Carer to be sentenced after stealing over €30,000 from retired school teacher
Summary
Alison Wilkins, 48, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine sample charges of theft committed between July 2013 and March 2014. The accused, a carer for Rita Keogh, a vulnerable widow suffering from dementia, allegedly stole over €30,000 from Keogh's bank account. Gardaí evidence indicated Wilkins carried out 57 unauthorised transactions, including ATM withdrawals and debit card payments, after gaining access to Keogh's card and PIN. Keogh's balance dropped from €33,000 to €13,900 during the period. Wilkins, who has no previous convictions, admitted the offences. Defence counsel Kerida Naidoo BL highlighted Wilkins' prior decent life, her drug habit, and her remorse, submitting that her admissions were useful to the State. Judge Desmond Hogan adjourned the case to October for sentencing. He ordered a probation report to assess Wilkins' suitability for community service, noting he was not ruling out that disposal but emphasizing Keogh's vulnerability. The judge also advised defence counsel to explore the possibility of gathering funds to compensate Keogh. Wilkins was remanded on continuing bail. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Carer to be sentenced after stealing over €30,000 from retired school teacher. Charges or matters: nine sample charges of theft on dates between July 2013 and March 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-05-21 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: nine sample charges of theft on dates between July 2013 and March 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He ordered a probation report for that date to determine if Wilkins is suitable for community service. "I am not saying that I will go down that road in the future," the judge commented before he added that Ms Keogh was a vulnerable lady.; Judge Hogan adjourned the case to October and told Mr Naidoo that his client should look into the possibility of gathering money to compensate Ms Keogh.
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