Courts / Dublin / Report
Manager jailed for stealing €875k from Credit Union
Summary
Anne Butterly, a 66‑year‑old former manager of Rush Credit Union, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for stealing €875,405 from the organisation over a seven‑year period. The theft was carried out through four methods: obtaining authorised signatures on blank cheques, diverting funds from members' share accounts, making unauthorised transactions on deposit accounts, and purchasing a vehicle for her husband using credit union money. Butterly had previously pleaded guilty to stealing €34,496 and, on 24 January 2023, pleaded guilty to three further counts totalling €59,786, which were treated as representative of the broader period from 2009 to 2016. The judge noted her long service, the breach of trust, and her health problems, but concluded that custodial punishment was necessary for deterrence and to address the seriousness of stealing from an employer and community. The credit union's insurance company compensated the victims, and Butterly has since fully repaid the amounts.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Manager jailed for stealing €875k from Credit Union. Charges or matters: stealing €34,496 which was the property of Rush Credit Union; a further three counts of stealing a total of €59,786 on dates between January 11, 2013 and July 31, 2015 but her defence counsel accepted these were representative sample pleas for offending which took place from 2009 to 2016 and led to the theft of over €875,000. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 11, 2013 Other
- July 31, 2015 Other
- March 2016 Other
- 2009 to 2016 Other
- 2023-01-24 Publication
Why: "It goes without saying that she has serious health problems and any prison term will be much more difficult for her because of this" Judge Nolan said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: stealing €34,496 which was the property of Rush Credit Union; a further three counts of stealing a total of €59,786 on dates between January 11, 2013 and July 31, 2015 but her defence counsel accepted these were representative sample pleas for offending which took place from 2009 to 2016 and led to the theft of over €875,000 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A credit union manager who stole over €875k from the organisation in an effort to help save her husband's failing business has been jailed for two years. He said he believes that Butterly deserves to go to prison "unfortunately" for general deterrence and to punish her. "Nobody can behave in this way and not go to prison," Judge Nolan said before he jailed Butterly for two years.
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