Ireland Case No. 6016Theft · Co. Cork · 22 Dec 2022
Woman jailed over €22,000 withdrawal from dead cousin's credit union account in Fermoy
Sheila Aherne, a 61-year-old woman, withdrew close to €22,000 from the credit union book of her recently deceased 77-year-old cousin, Kathleen Cahill, at a credit union in Fermoy, Co Cork, on 22 December 2022, within 48 hours of the death. After her attempt to lodge a cheque in her own bank account drew suspicion, she was arrested and charged with theft, deception and money laundering, and she entered a guilty plea to all charges. On 25 April 2024 Judge John Martin sentenced her at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, with reports differing on whether the term was 18 months with nine months suspended or nine months in prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced25 Apr
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sheila Aherne, 61, withdrew close to €22,000 from the credit union book of her recently deceased cousin, Kathleen Cahill, 77, a pensioner.
- The account was cleared of more than €21,900, and all but €50 was returned.
- She entered the credit union wearing a scarf and a Covid-style mask.
- She tried to lodge the cheque in her own bank account, but the transaction could not be completed because it was in another person's name.
- She returned to the credit union and asked the teller to write a cheque in her own name, claiming to be the cousin and saying Sheila Aherne was her niece.
- Where
- The withdrawal took place at Synergy credit union in Fermoy, Co Cork.
- When
- The offence took place on 22 December 2022, within 48 hours of the cousin's death.
- Cause
- She presented herself in the name of her dead cousin, Kathleen Cahill, and closed the account.
- Investigation
- Her behaviour at her own bank caused suspicion, and she was arrested.
- Charges
- She was charged with theft, deception and money laundering.
- She entered a guilty plea on all charges.
- In court
- Judge John Martin sentenced her at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 25 April 2024.
- Sentence
- Sources differ: one says she was jailed for 18 months with the last nine suspended, while others report she was jailed for nine months.
- Other details
- The judge described her previous shoplifting record as an aggravating factor.
- The judge noted that she was extremely remorseful and had apologised to the victim's family.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatShe withdrew close to €22,000 from her deceased cousin's credit union account. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe account was cleared of over €21,900, and all but €50 was returned. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatSheila Aherne entered a credit union in Fermoy wearing a scarf and a Covid-style mask and withdrew close to €22,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe withdrawal was made using a credit union book belonging to her recently deceased cousin. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe closed the account and cleared it of more than €21,900. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe offence occurred within 48 hours of the cousin's death. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe tried to lodge the cheque in her own bank account, but the transaction could not be completed because it was in another person's name. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe returned to the credit union and asked the teller to write a cheque in her own name, claiming to be the cousin and saying Sheila Aherne was her niece. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe woman went into a credit union in Fermoy, Co Cork, wearing a scarf and a Covid-style mask. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe offence took place at Synergy credit union in Fermoy, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offence took place on December 22, 2022. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on December 22nd, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- causeShe presented herself in the name of her dead relative, Kathleen Cahill. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationHer behaviour at her own bank caused suspicion, and she was arrested. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeShe was arrested and charged with theft, deception and money laundering. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeShe entered a guilty plea on all charges. (corkbeo.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeShe was charged with theft, deception and money laundering. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John Martin sentenced her at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtShe was sentenced at Cork Circuit Criminal Court by Judge John Martin. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceShe was jailed for 18 months, with the last nine months suspended. (corkbeo.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described her previous shoplifting record as an aggravating factor. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherThe judge said her previous record of shoplifting was an aggravating factor. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge noted that she was extremely remorseful and had apologised to the victim's family. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Apr2024Woman who wore mask to withdraw €22,000 from dead cousin’s account jailed for nine months
Reports the sentencing of Sheila Aherne at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The headline says she was jailed for nine months, but the body says she was jailed for 18 months with the last nine suspended.
convicted, Sheila Aherne, 61, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sheila Ahernevictim, Kathleen Cahill, 77, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Cahill - 25 Apr2024Cork woman jailed after draining dead cousin's credit union account
Sentencing report. Gives the offence date of 22 December 2022, the charges of theft, deception and money laundering, the guilty plea, and the sentence of 18 months with nine months suspended.
convicted, Sheila Aherne, 61, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sheila Ahernevictim, Kathleen Cahill, 77, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Cahill