Ireland Case No. 6453Theft · Co. Dublin
Father sentenced over theft of €25,000 raised for sick child
A 43-year-old man stole approximately €25,000 raised at a charity sports event he organised to help his young child, who was being treated for childhood cancer. The child's mother was not involved in the fundraising, and the man handled the money, most of which was cash. He pleaded guilty to theft on a date between January and June 2020. In February 2025, Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court imposed a four-year sentence, suspended in full, and ordered the remaining €5,000 to be paid within nine months.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced13 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 43-year-old man stole approximately €25,000 raised at a charity sports event set up to help his young child, who was being treated for childhood cancer.
- The man organised the event and handled the money raised, most of which was cash.
- The child's mother was not involved in the fundraising.
- About 20 to 24 people took part, each raising between €500 and €1,000, with local business sponsorship and a raffle on the night.
- The man made payments totalling €9,400 to the child's mother in cash and by bank transfer.
- When
- The man told the child's mother in December 2019 that he would organise the event.
- Other details
- The man went missing after the event and travelled to the UK for a period.
- The man was in a WhatsApp group with the participants and went quiet when they asked how much had been raised.
- He has since repaid €20,000, including the initial €9,400, which is lodged in an account for the child.
- The man admitted spending most of the stolen money on drugs, including cocaine at €4,000 to €5,000 a week.
- The man has a minor record of conviction and had a drug problem at the time.
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty to theft on a date between January and June 2020.
- In court
- Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned the case overnight to consider sentence.
- Judge Nolan said the man was going through a bad time when he stole the money.
- Sentence
- Judge Nolan imposed a four-year sentence, suspended in full, and decided not to imprison the man.
- He was ordered to pay the remaining €5,000 in full over the next nine months.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe man stole approximately €25,000 from a fundraising event set up to help his sick child. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man organised a charity sports event to raise money for his young child who was being treated for childhood cancer. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe girl's mother was not involved with the fundraising. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man handled the money from the event and most of it was cash. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe total amount raised was estimated to be around €25,000. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man made payments totalling €9,400 to the child's mother in cash and by bank transfer. (irishmirror.ie)
- what€20,000 including the initial €9,400 has now been repaid and is lodged in an account for the child. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatApproximately 20 to 24 individuals took part in the event, raising between €500 and €1,000 each. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThere was sponsorship from local businesses and a raffle on the night. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man went missing after the event and travelled to the UK for a period. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe man said in December 2019 that he would organise the event. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to theft on a date between January and June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Nolan said the man was going through a bad time and stole the money. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Nolan said he decided not to imprison the man. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Nolan imposed a four-year sentence but suspended it in full. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe ordered the remaining €5,000 be paid in full over the next nine months. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe is not being named to protect the child's identity. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe defendant has a minor record of conviction and had a drug problem at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man was part of a WhatsApp group with the individuals who took part but went quiet when they asked how much money was raised. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Feb2025Father who stole €25,000 from his sick child's fundraising event avoids jail
Full sentencing report: the man received a four-year sentence suspended in full, was ordered to pay the remaining €5,000 over nine months, and admitted spending the majority of the stolen money on cocaine.
suspect, 43, malevictim, female