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Suspended sentence for carer who stole €30k from elderly dementia-sufferer
Summary
Alison Wilkins, 48, of Balcurris Park West, Ballymun, received a three‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to nine theft charges for stealing over €30,000 from Rita Keogh, a 78‑year‑old widow with dementia. Wilkins had become Keogh's sole carer, gaining access to her debit card and PIN after earning the victim's trust. Between July 2013 and March 2014, Wilkins carried out 57 unauthorised transactions, leaving Keogh's bank balance reduced from €33,000 to €13,900. The court ordered Wilkins to return €1,500 already recovered and to repay €28,500 to Keogh's family over four years, to complete 240 hours of community voluntary work, to undergo 12 months of probation supervision and to finish any recommended drug‑treatment programme. She was also directed to hand over the money she had raised so far.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for carer who stole €30k from elderly dementia-sufferer. 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
- 2015-10-09 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: nine sample charges of theft on dates between July 2013 and March 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Desmond Hogan described the offending as "a mean crime" involving a huge breach of trust but told the court he was not going to impose a custodial sentence "for reasons of restitution." He ordered Wilkins to hand over the €1,500 she had raised so far and gave her four years to come up with €28,500 to be paid back to the victim's family.
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