Opera House official stole over €60k for cocaine

The former assistant financial controller of Cork Opera House who created an elaborate scheme to steal more than €60,000 to pay for his cocaine habit was given a suspended jail sentence yesterday.

Barrie O’Mahony, aged 33, of 90 An Caisleán Grove, Ballin-collig, Co Cork, was given the suspended jail term by Judge Patrick J Moran at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

O’Mahony’s cocaine habit was costing him between €1,000 and €1,500 a week at its height.