Ireland Principal avoids prison for €93,000 theft to feed gambling habit
Stephen Condon, a 43-year-old man and former principal of St John the Baptist National School in Garryowen, Limerick, is said to have stolen €93,000 from the school between September 2012 and July 2016. The thefts were discovered in 2016, when the school board became suspicious and a full audit was carried out, and Condon resigned as principal. He was arrested on 1 January 2021 and charged with 109 counts of theft, and he pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to 11 sample counts. All of the money has since been repaid to the school. On 26 May 2023, Judge Tom O'Donnell gave Condon a fully suspended 20-month prison sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 May
3 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Former principal Stephen Condon admitted stealing €93,000 from St John the Baptist National School in Garryowen, Limerick.
- Where
- The school is St John the Baptist National School in Garryowen, Limerick.
- When
- The thefts took place between September 2012 and July 2016.
- Cause
- Condon admitted taking the money to feed a gambling addiction.
- Investigation
- The thefts were discovered in 2016 when the school board became suspicious and a full audit of the accounts was carried out.
- Other details
- Condon was arrested on 1 January 2021.
- Condon resigned as principal.
- All of the stolen money has been repaid to the school, so there was no financial loss.
- Charges
- Condon was charged with 109 counts of theft totalling €93,000.
- In court
- Condon pleaded guilty to 11 sample counts at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
- The judge in the case is Tom O'Donnell.
- Sentence
- On 26 May 2023, Condon was given a fully suspended 20-month prison sentence.
- Condon was warned to be of good behaviour for the next 20 months or face activation of the suspended sentence.
26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFormer principal Stephen Condon admitted stealing €93,000 from St John the Baptist National School, Garryowen. (thejournal.ie)
- whatFormer principal Stephen Condon admitted stealing €93,000 from a Limerick school. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe theft was worth €93,000. (extra.ie)
- whereCondon pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe school is St John the Baptist National School in Garryowen, Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe thefts took place between September 2012 and July 2016. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe thefts took place from September 2012 to July 2016. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe thefts were discovered in 2016. (irishtimes.com)
- whenCondon was arrested on January 1st, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe thefts were carried out to feed a gambling addiction. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe thefts were made to feed a chronic gambling addiction. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe theft was carried out to feed a gambling habit. (extra.ie)
- investigationThe thefts were discovered in 2016 when the school board became suspicious and a full audit was carried out. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe school board became suspicious and a full audit of the accounts was carried out. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCondon was charged with 109 counts of theft totalling €93,000. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtCondon pleaded guilty to 11 sample counts at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceCondon was given a fully suspended 20-month jail sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceCondon was warned to be of good behaviour for the next 20 months or face the possibility of the suspended sentence being activated. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceCondon was given a fully suspended 20-month prison sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceCondon was warned to be of good behaviour for the next 20 months or face activation of the suspended sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe principal avoided prison. (extra.ie)
- otherCondon was arrested on 1 January 2021. (thejournal.ie)
- otherCondon resigned as principal. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherAll of the money has been paid back to the school, so there was no financial loss. (thejournal.ie)
- otherAll of the stolen money has been repaid to the school. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge is Tom O’Donnell. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 27 May2023Principal Avoids Prison For €93,000 Theft To Feed Gambling Habit
Only the headline is usable. The article text is template code with no body, so no names, dates, county, court or sentence terms are given.
convicted - 26 May2023Former principal stole almost €100,000 from Limerick school to feed gambling addiction, court hears
Court report on the sentencing of a former principal convicted of theft from the school; no existing case matches.
convicted, Stephen Condon, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Condon - 26 May2023Former principal who stole nearly €100k from his former school given suspended sentence
Sentencing report: Condon admitted stealing €93,000 from the school between September 2012 and July 2016 and was given a fully suspended 20-month sentence on 26 May 2023. The article adds the sentence, the court, the admission of guilt, the repayment of the money and the judge's remarks.
convicted, Stephen Condon, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Condon