Financial controller has jail term cut on appeal

A financial controller jailed for stealing €281,000 from his employer, Deutsche Bank, through the unauthorised use of his company credit card, has had his jail term cut on appeal.

Patrick Moran, aged 40, of Woodstown Rise, Knocklyon, Dublin, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sample charges of stealing cash, falsifying documents, and using a false instrument on dates between November 2011 and January 2013.

He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on July 31, 2015.

Moran successfully appealed his sentence yesterday and, accordingly, he was resentenced to three years’ imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.

Giving judgment in the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Alan Mahon

said Moran diverted funds to a PayPal account and ultimately to his own account. The loss to the injured party was approximately €281,000.

The fraudulent activity was unearthed by an internal investigation. When gardaí were contacted, Moran made full admissions.

Patrick Gageby, defending, submitted criticism for the sentencing judge’s failure to suspend a portion of the sentence.

Mr Gageby said his client had never offended before and there was ample evidence before the Circuit Court that there had been “de facto rehabilitation”.

Mr Gageby said Moran’s employers were out of pocket to a substantial amount but there was no “stash” or hidden money.

The court heard that there was a civil judgment against him plus costs.

Fergal Foley, prosecuting, submitted that the reliability of Ireland as a place to do business was challenged by this type of offending and the sentence that was imposed was the least the judge could have done in all the circumstances.