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Travel Agent guilty of stealing €18k from charity for terminally ill kids
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, John Murphy, a 66‑year‑old travel agent from Killiney, was found guilty of stealing €18,643 from the Children to Lapland Appeal charity he founded. The jury reached the verdict after 42 minutes of deliberation. Murphy had written cheques from the charity's account and deposited them into his personal account. His defence argued that the money was used for business transactions related to his now‑defunct travel agency, United Travel, and that he had no intention of keeping the funds. Prosecutor Garrett McCormack described the defence as a "Father Ted" defence. Following conviction, Judge Patrick McCartan remanded Murphy in custody until sentencing. The case highlighted the charity's history of sending terminally ill children to Lapland and its eventual liquidation in 2012. The court held that theft occurred if the owner of the money was deprived of it for any length of time. John Murphy pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Travel Agent guilty of stealing €18k from charity for terminally ill kids. Charges or matters: four counts of theft between June and July 2010 in the Dublin area totalling €18,643. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- July 2010 Adjournment
- 2016-03-03 Publication
Why: United Travel operated until 2007 when it lost its trading license from The Civil Aviation Authority because it had incurred losses of €630,105. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: four counts of theft between June and July 2010 in the Dublin area totalling €18,643 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Following conviction, Judge Patrick McCartan remanded Murphy in custody until his sentencing on Monday.
Appellant
Charges: four counts of theft between June and July 2010 in the Dublin area totalling €18,643 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Following conviction, Judge Patrick McCartan remanded Murphy in custody until his sentencing on Monday.
Places mentioned
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