Kildare woman hired to clean elderly man's home took his ATM card and stole €8,000 cash

A woman who took money from an elderly man’s bank account using his ATM card appeared before Naas District Court.

Clodagh Mackey, 51, whose address was given as 10 Grand Canal View, Allenwood pleaded guilty to 42 charges of theft.

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A further 36 allegations were withdrawn by the prosecution at the start of the hearing.

The court was told that the woman admitted taking €8,200 and had €9,000 in court to hand over as compensation.

The injured party is an octogenarian and the woman worked in his house undertaking cleaning work.

The offending came to light when the man noticed some suspicious transactions on his bank statement, Sgt Mary Meade stated.

It was later confirmed that the money was withdrawn from the ATM machine at the Spar store in Prosperous and the defendant had access to his bank details.

Sgt Meade said the activity in the account was noticed in September 2023 and the defendant was later observed at the machine on CCTV images captured at the store.

The offences took place between April 2023 and September 2023.

Defending solicitor David Powderly said the money taken by the woman was spent on groceries and similar goods.

One of the man’s adult children said their father is vulnerable, had been shaken by the incident and the defendant had been trusted. Judge Desmond Zaidan adjourned the matter to May 7.