Case No. 2802Theft (35 counts), unauthorised use of a computer · Co. Longford · 9 Jul 2018
Michael McArdle's sentencing adjourned over €113,000 fraud against Viking Direct
Michael McArdle, 37, of Ballymahon, Co Longford, pleaded guilty to 35 charges of theft and one charge of unauthorised use of a computer for a €113,000 fraud against UK-based Viking Direct, committed between July and September 2018 through direct debits via his online company Synergy Education. Judge Eoin Garavan at Galway Circuit Court adjourned sentencing to 26 June 2025 to hear psychiatric evidence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted5 Dec
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMcArdle pleaded guilty to 35 charges of theft contrary to section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act and one charge of unauthorised use of a computer contrary to Section 9. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDirect debits totalling €113,813.40 were paid from Viking Direct's Irish AIB account to Synergy Education. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSynergy Education was an online company set up by McArdle offering psychotherapy, counselling and nursing services. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe funds were first transferred to an escrow account and then to a Permanent TSB account in the name of Anne McArdle, 77, the accused's mother. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAll of the payments subsequently ended up in accounts owned by Michael McArdle. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcArdle received close to €15,000 a week in direct debit payments during the fraud. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcArdle previously repaid €20,000 and had a further €12,000 in court, while AIB made a payment of €8,465. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences were committed between 9 July 2018 and 4 September 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe payments ceased in September 2018 when Viking Direct discovered the unauthorised payments. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Eoin Garavan adjourned finalisation of the case to 26 June 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Galway Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Garavan said the case warrants a custodial sentence but wanted to hear sworn evidence from a psychiatrist first. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcArdle has 55 previous convictions, the vast majority relating to the unlawful possession or use of forged prescription pads to obtain anti-depressants in 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcArdle trained as a nurse, continues to offer online psychotherapy services, and previously held a pilot's license. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcArdle was allegedly consuming 150 sleeping pills a day during the eight-week period the fraud was committed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcArdle was drunk 90 per cent of the time during the fraud period. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcArdle receives a disability payment for diabetes and mental health issues and his mother is his carer. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcArdle lost his nursing job after his forgery convictions in 2016 and started drinking a bottle of vodka a day. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcArdle underwent a gastric procedure in Turkey in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Dec2024Man was 'drunk 90% of the time' when committing 6-figure fraud against UK firm
Sentencing hearing at Galway Circuit Court where the judge described the fraud as 'entirely sophisticated, pre-meditated, and very carefully thought out' and adjourned to 26 June 2025 to hear sworn psychiatric evidence before imposing a custodial sentence.
convicted, Michael McArdle, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McArdle