Secretary blames addiction for stealing from boss

A secretary has blamed an addiction after stealing €8,000 from her employer as it came to light she had committed similar crimes in two previous jobs.

Jacqueline Peilow, aged 39, of Cathedral Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, was facing sentencing on 23 counts of larceny at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Peilow admitted the larcenies on dates ranging between June 5 and August 7 last year.

Detective Garda James O’Shea said Peilow’s employer at the time was Sidney McEhhinney who operated his business from the City North Business Park in Dublin Hill, Cork. His bank card was left in an unlocked drawer and the PIN number was known to Peilow.

When the woman in charge of accounts went out sick, Peilow took advantage of her absence by using the card to take out various amounts over a two-month period.

The total amount withdrawn was €8,700 and none of it has been repaid.

Defence barrister Jane-Ann Rothwell said the defendant had used the card in a compulsive manner against a background of chronic depression.

“Her compulsive behaviour was almost the way an alcoholic consumes alcohol,” Ms Rothwell said.

She said the defendant was trying to organise the repayment of the money.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain said Peilow should have done more by now and he considered remanding her in custody.

He remanded her on bail until next Friday for concrete proposals on the repayment of the €8,700 and steps to be taken to deal with her offending behaviour.