Courts / Dublin / Report
Chronic gambler who stole over 800k from insurance clients is jailed for 4.5 years
Summary
Martin Reilly, a 59‑year‑old former Canada Life agent, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to 80 counts of theft. Between 2002 and 2011 he persuaded 18 clients, including a priest, to withdraw money from their Canada Life policies and invest it in non‑existent products. He then deposited the funds into an EBS account in his own name. Reilly's address was West Side Estates, Togher, Cork. He had no prior convictions. Canada Life reimbursed all victims and suffered a €1.2 million loss. Reilly admitted a gambling addiction, confessed to stealing the money, and has since sought treatment with Gamblers Anonymous and spoken about gambling in schools and groups. The judge noted the prolonged pattern of misbehaviour and the pernicious nature of gambling. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the repeated thefts.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Chronic gambler who stole over 800k from insurance clients is jailed for 4.5 years. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 2002 and 2011 Other
- 2015-06-29 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A chronic gambler who stole over €832,000 from clients while he worked in Dublin as a Canada Life agent has been jailed for four and a half years. Judge Nolan noted that "gambling is a pernicious activity and has brought down many a good man and woman." He accepted Reilly was unlikely to come before the courts again, but said he had to sentence on the "pattern of misbehaviour over a prolonged period of time".
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- presented himself at Drogheda Garda Station
- Drogheda
Topics
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