Ireland Former health care assistant jailed for stealing over €4,000 from elderly Magdalene Laundry survivor
Jason McGovern (36), a former health care assistant, stole over €4,000 from an elderly Magdalene Laundry survivor after meeting her while volunteering to visit patients at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth. He took over her finances in May 2014 and used her bank card to pay her expenses over a four-year period. The thefts came to light when a discharge coordinator at Louth County Hospital sought her financial statements for a Fair Deal nursing home application. The woman died in 2021. In the sentencing reported on 5 February 2025 at Dundalk Circuit Court, before Judge Dara Hayes, sources differ: one says he was jailed for 15 months, the other says concurrent sentences totalling two years and nine months with the final 18 months suspended.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Jason McGovern (36), a former health care assistant, stole over €4,000 from an elderly Magdalene Laundry survivor.
- Where
- He met the woman while volunteering to visit patients at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth.
- When
- He took over looking after the woman's finances in May 2014.
- The thefts from her bank account took place over a four-year period.
- Cause
- He had the woman's bank card and used it to pay her expenses, such as rent and ESB.
- Investigation
- The thefts came to light after a discharge coordinator at Louth County Hospital sought her financial statements for a Fair Deal nursing home care application.
- The woman expressed disbelief that he was responsible when the statements were shown to her.
- In court
- Judge Dara Hayes presided over the sentencing at Dundalk Circuit Court.
- Sentence
- Sources differ: one says he was jailed for 15 months, while the other says concurrent sentences totalling two years and nine months were imposed, with the final 18 months suspended.
- Other details
- The court was told he had repaid the money and was assessed as being at low risk of reoffending.
- In addition to her State pension, the woman had received €50,000 from the Redress Board.
- The woman died in 2021.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA former health care assistant stole over €4,000 from an elderly Magdalene Laundry survivor. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereHe met the woman while volunteering to visit patients at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenHe took over looking after the woman's finances in May 2014. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe theft from her bank account took place over a four-year period. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeHe had the woman's bank card and used it to pay her expenses such as rent and ESB. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtJudge Dara Hayes presided over the sentencing. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceHe was jailed for 15 months at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceJudge Dara Hayes imposed concurrent sentences totalling two years and nine months, with the final 18 months suspended. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherIn addition to her State pension, the woman had received €50,000 from the Redress Board. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe woman expressed disbelief that he was responsible when the statements were shown to her. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe woman died in 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe court was told he had repaid the money and was assessed as being at low risk of reoffending. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Feb2025Dundalk Court: Former health care worker stole from elderly Magdalene Laundry survivor
Court report of sentencing. The article gives two different sentences: it says he was jailed for 15 months, and it also says concurrent sentences totalling two years and nine months with the final 18 months suspended. The thefts ran over a four-year period from May 2014.
convicted, Jason McGovern, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason McGovern