Case No. 1488Theft · Co. Dublin · 1 Jan 2012
Bursar Mary Higgins jailed for one year for stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School
Mary Higgins, 63, a bursar at Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod, Dublin, was sentenced to one year's imprisonment (three years with two suspended) at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing €500,000 from the school between January 2012 and March 2017 to fund a gambling addiction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced19 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMary Higgins stole €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe theft occurred between January 1, 2012, and March 23, 2017. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe stolen money was used to fund a gambling addiction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtShe was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a three-year sentence but suspended the final two years on her own bond of €100. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe had spent 12 years attending the school and 24 years working there. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe sold her home and another apartment and signed over her pension to repay the money. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe had no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe attended the Rutland Centre for her addiction and engaged with counsellors for personal therapy. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described the offence as an egregious breach of trust over an extended period. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere was a shortfall of €29,000 in what she had repaid. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDuring her time at the school, she had overseen maintenance and capital building with €7 million in profits reinvested into the school. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe was placed on administrative leave in March 2017 after telling the principal about the theft. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Jun2025‘She was living a double life’: Bursar of private secondary school jailed for stealing €500,000
Sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three-year sentence, suspending the final two years on a €100 bond, citing the egregious breach of trust but substantial mitigation including repayment of most of the money and her gambling addiction.
convicted, Mary Higgins, 63, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Higgins