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'Kind' bursar who stole €500k from private school to fund 'double life' is jailed
Summary
Mary Higgins, 63, a former bursar at Mount Sackville Secondary School, was sentenced to one year in prison for stealing €500,000 from the school between 2012 and 2017 to fund a gambling addiction. She had full control over the school's cash flow, was the main signatory on bank accounts, and directed how money was allocated. Higgins sold her home and pension to repay the school and has repaid €470,949.62. She has no prior convictions and has since pursued addiction treatment, counselling studies, and voluntary work. The court noted her remorse, the lack of oversight that enabled the theft, and her long service to the school. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a custodial sentence, suspended two years on a €100 bond, and acknowledged her cooperation with Gardaí and forensic accountants. The case highlights the breach of trust and the impact of gambling on her life. Mary Higgins pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Kind' bursar who stole €500k from private school to fund 'double life' is jailed. Charges or matters: stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod between January 1, 2012, and March 23, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 23, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2017 Other
- 2025-06-19 Publication
Why: He explained that, while parents received receipts, there was no cash receipts book, no copy of receipts was ever kept and there was no oversight. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod between January 1, 2012, and March 23, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Crowe imposed a three-year sentence but, in light of the substantial mitigation, suspended the final two years on her own bond of €100.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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