Former Cavan County Council cathaoirleach Seán McKiernan pleads guilty to theft from Navan Mental Health Housing Association
Seán McKiernan, 43, a former cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, pleaded guilty at Trim Circuit Court to two charges of theft from Navan Mental Health Housing Association Ltd, totalling €6,070, after being charged with the theft of €172,000 from the charity in 2019 and 2020. Judge John Martin adjourned sentencing to 21 October and remanded McKiernan on continuing bail.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted3 Jul
2 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe individual sums varied between €500 and €7,500 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe total amount stolen was €172,000 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOn 26 March 2019 he stole €5,230 from Navan Mental Health Housing Association (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOn 6 April 2020 he stole €800 from Navan Mental Health Housing Association (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSeán McKiernan is 43 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcKiernan was a former cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council (irishtimes.com)
- whereMcKiernan lives at Trinity Bungalow, Virginia Road, Bailieborough, Co Cavan (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcKiernan was charged with 58 counts of theft from Navan Mental Health Housing Association (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to theft under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Act (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMcKiernan was charged with the theft of €172,000 from Navan Mental Health Housing Association Ltd in 2019 and 2020 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcKiernan pleaded guilty to the theft of €5,270 from the charity on 26 September 2019 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcKiernan pleaded guilty to the theft of €800 from the charity on 6 April 2020 (irishtimes.com)
- courtMcKiernan appeared before Judge John Martin at Trim Circuit Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was arraigned on two sample counts, 1 and 58 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMcKiernan was arraigned at Trim Circuit Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John Martin accepted the guilty pleas (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 21 October (irishtimes.com)
- courtMcKiernan was remanded on continuing bail (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcKiernan was elected the youngest ever chairman of Cavan County Council in 2011 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe was a Fine Gael councillor for the Bailieborough electoral area from 2007 to 2014 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe served as Cathaoirleach of Cavan/Monaghan ETB in 2016 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe was nominated to the Seanad Election 2016 by the Restaurants Association of Ireland (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcKiernan was represented by barristers Garret Baker and David Perry (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Jul2025Former Cavan County Council cathaoirleach admits theft from mental health charity
Reports the guilty plea at Trim Circuit Court, the specific amounts and dates of the two thefts, and the adjournment for sentencing.
accused, Seán McKiernan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán McKiernan - 3 Jul2025Ex-county council chairman pleads guilty to theft of over €170,000 from charity
Confirms the two sample counts (€5,230 on 26 March 2019 and €800 on 6 April 2020), the 58 total counts, and that Judge Martin remanded McKiernan on continuing bail for sentencing to be fixed on 29 October 2025. Provides background on McKiernan's political career including his 2011 election as youngest ever Cavan County Council chairman.
accused, Sean McKiernan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean McKiernan