Cork care worker who stole €45k from elderly woman with dementia sent to jail

Carer made payments on woman's card for groceries, refuse collection, electricity bills and on one occasion the purchase from an equestrian supplier of horse tackle costing €4,000, court heard

Judge said the irony was not lost on Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the accused would have to entrust her own father, who has dementia, to a carer while she is in prison. Picture Larry Cummins 

An elderly woman suffering from dementia had more than €45,000 stolen by her care worker visiting her Kinsale home and the irony of the case is that the accused will now have to entrust her own father to a care worker as she faces two and a half years in prison.

Judge Colin Daly said this irony was not lost on Cork Circuit Criminal Court as he sentenced 46-year-old Catherine Gregg, of The Cottage, Ballinaclashet, Belgooly, Co Cork, to three years in prison, with the last six months suspended.