Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who withdrew money during ATM glitch has case dismissed

Date
2016-06-23
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a 2016 case, Judge Patrick McCartan dismissed charges against Sheshi Kota, a 40‑year‑old former Dublin resident, who withdrew €13,600 from an Ulster Bank ATM during a computer fault that allowed unlimited withdrawals. The prosecution failed to prove the existence of the legal entity "Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd." and that the bank had not consented to the withdrawals. Kota had pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of theft, claiming the withdrawals were overdrafts. The judge directed the jury to find him not guilty on all counts, noting that proving theft requires evidence of a legitimate owner and that the ATM's malfunction was not caused by Kota. The bank had later treated the matter as a civil debt and involved Gardaí, but Kota eventually repaid the money. The case was closed with no conviction.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who withdrew money during ATM glitch has case dismissed. Charges or matters: 23 counts of stealing cash, the property of "Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd." on June 22, 2012 at an Ulster Bank ATM at College Green, Dublin. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: (Pictured: Judge Patrick McCartan who directed verdicts ¦ Credit: Collins) A judge has dismissed the case against a man accused of stealing money from a cash machine because he said the State had failed to prove the bank existed. CNI source report

Case subjects

Sheshi Kota

Defendant

Charges: 23 counts of stealing cash, the property of "Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd." on June 22, 2012 at an Ulster Bank ATM at College Green, Dublin (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Trial Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Help us improve this report

Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.

Prefer email? Send a correction request.

Request a review

We will use it only to contact you about this request.