Former school bursar jailed for one year over €500,000 theft

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Mary Higgins, 63, was jailed for one year after pleading guilty to stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod between 2012 and 2017. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three-year sentence and suspended the final two years, saying the theft involved a serious breach of trust and a considerable sum.

Higgins had repaid more than €470,000 after selling her assets and signing over her pension. The court heard she had sought treatment for her gambling problem, qualified as a counsellor and was providing voluntary counselling. The judge said a custodial element was necessary.