Courts / Dublin / Report
Credit Union offical jailed for three years over €1.7 million theft
Summary
Paul O'Brien, a 51‑year‑old credit controller at Finglas Credit Union, stole €1,669,696 over seven years by issuing 215 fraudulent loans and stealing 13 cheques. He used some of the money to repay the loans and to fund a severe gambling addiction, paying mortgage and credit‑card bills on three occasions. The net loss to the credit union was €453,300. O'Brien pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft and one count of falsifying a loan application for €17,000 between 2005 and 2012. He had no prior convictions. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the judge noting his good character and family life but citing the abuse of trust as an aggravating factor. He has since sought help for his gambling problem and has not been re‑arrested.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Credit Union offical jailed for three years over €1.7 million theft. Charges or matters: sample charges which included nine counts of stealing various amounts of cash from Finglas Credit Union and one charge of falsifying a loan application in the amount of €17,000 on dates between February 26, 2005 and May 12, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 26, 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 12, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2012 Other
- May 14, 2012 Other
- January 2013 Other
- 2015-11-11 Publication
Why: Paul O'Brien (51) took out additional fraudulent loans in order to make repayments on the pre-existing ones. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sample charges which included nine counts of stealing various amounts of cash from Finglas Credit Union and one charge of falsifying a loan application in the amount of €17,000 on dates between February 26, 2005 and May 12, 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said he has no other criminal record whatsoever but that the extent of his offending meant he must be jailed. "He is a very good man who went completely astray," Judge Nolan said.
Places mentioned
- Finglas Credit Union
- O'Valley Park Road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- came voluntarily to the garda station
Topics
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