Courts / Dublin / Report
'Deplorable' father who stole from his sick child's fundraising event avoids jail
Summary
A 43‑year‑old man who organised a charity sports event to raise money for his daughter's cancer treatment was found to have stolen about €25,000 from the event. He pleaded guilty to theft for an offence committed between January and June 2020. The court heard that he had paid €9,400 to the child's mother and had since repaid €20,000, leaving €5,000 outstanding. He admitted that he had spent the majority of the money on drugs, claiming a cocaine binge and a drug problem at the time. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended in full, and ordered the remaining €5,000 to be paid over nine months. The judge noted the defendant's partial repayment, his drug addiction, and the aggravating factor that he used his daughter to facilitate the theft.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Deplorable' father who stole from his sick child's fundraising event avoids jail. Charges or matters: theft on a date between January and June 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2019 Other
- March 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-02-13 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: theft on a date between January and June 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A "deplorable" father who stole approximately €25,000 from a fundraising event set up for his child's cancer treatment to go on a "cocaine binge" has been handed a suspended sentence. Judge Nolan today imposed a four-year sentence but suspended it in full.; After hearing the facts of the case yesterday, Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider what sentence to impose.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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