Charity worker stole €188k

A former employee at a charity for people with disabilities admitted yesterday that he stole €188,000 from the organisation in Cork.

Jeremiah Collins, aged 39, of Morehampton, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, was employed by the Cork Centre for Independent Living, an organisation aimed at facilitating the independence of people with disabilities.

The loss to the charity could run to €500,000.

Collins was arrested in Dublin yesterday and brought before Cork District Court on 70 sample charges.

The charges range from Mar 2007 to Mar 2010. The 70 all relate to theft. They refer to amounts ranging from about €200 to about €3,000 on different dates in that time period. The first charge states, for instance, that on Mar 20, 2007, at Bank of Ireland, St Patrick’s Bridge, Cork, he stole property, to wit €250, the property of the Cork Centre for Independent Living.

Det Garda Tomas O’Connor said the defendant made no reply when charged.

Insp Mary King said the DPP had directed trial by jury.

Emmet Boyle, solicitor, who was appointed to represent the accused on free legal aid, said Collins was willing to enter a signed plea of guilty obviating the necessity for the preparation of a book of evidence.

When the defendant entered the signed plea of guilty, Judge O’Leary asked the defendant if he understood the offences of which he was accused. He replied: “Fraud of €500,000.”

While no details were given of the full background to the case, it is understood that this may refer to the full loss to the charity and that the €188,000 only relates to the 70 sample charges.

Collins was released on bail to appear for sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Oct 15.