Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11224Theft · Co. Cork

Woman to sell home to compensate Kinsale restaurant for theft

Nessa Gilsenan, a 52-year-old woman, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to nine charges of theft and submitting false documents against Martin Shanahan, a TV chef whose business is the Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale, where she worked. The offences took place between 2017 and 2022, and the amounts listed total over €303,000. Gilsenan was first charged in March of the previous year, and compensation has been paid, including €15,000 according to the defence and an earlier payment at a previous court appearance. The defence asked for a lengthy adjournment so she could sell her home and pay Shanahan from the proceeds. The latest development is that the judge remanded Gilsenan on bail for sentencing on 4 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gilsenan pleaded guilty to nine charges relating to theft and submitting false documents to Shanahan.
  • Gilsenan admitted falsifying the staff payroll system to gain for herself in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
  • Gilsenan dishonestly appropriated over €26,000 from the Shanahan-owned business in 2017, almost €55,000 in 2018 and over €75,000 in 2019.
  • Gilsenan dishonestly appropriated over €63,000 in 2020, almost €69,000 in 2021 and almost €15,000 in 2022.
Where
Gilsenan worked at the Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale when the offences took place.
When
The offences took place between 2017 and 2022.
Charges
  • The offences were contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
  • Gilsenan was first charged in March of the previous year.
In court
  • Gilsenan appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
  • Defence counsel said Gilsenan had paid €15,000 in compensation, and another compensation payment was made at an earlier court appearance.
Sentence
The judge remanded Gilsenan on bail for sentencing on 4 November.
Other details
  • The defence asked for a lengthy adjournment to allow the sale of her home, with the proceeds going towards compensating Shanahan.
  • Martin Shanahan is a TV chef and the owner of the business the offences were committed against.
  • The tracker dates the article 1 February 2026, while its byline gives 10 February 2026.
  • The headline puts the total taken at €303,000.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGilsenan pleaded guilty to nine charges relating to theft and submitting false documents to Shanahan. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatGilsenan admitted falsifying the staff payroll system to gain for herself in 2020, 2021 and 2022. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIn 2017 Gilsenan dishonestly appropriated over €26,000 from the Shanahan-owned business. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIn 2018 Gilsenan stole almost €55,000. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIn 2019 Gilsenan dishonestly appropriated over €75,000 from her employer. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIn 2020, 2021 and 2022 Gilsenan dishonestly appropriated over €63,000, almost €69,000 and almost €15,000 respectively. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereGilsenan worked at the Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale when the offences took place. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred between 2017 and 2022. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenGilsenan was first charged in March of the previous year. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe offences were contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtGilsenan appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtDefence counsel said Gilsenan had paid €15,000 in compensation. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtAnother compensation payment was made at an earlier court appearance. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge remanded Gilsenan on bail for sentencing on 4 November. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe defence asked for a lengthy adjournment to allow the sale of the property, with the proceeds going towards compensating Shanahan. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Feb2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Woman who stole €303,000 from TV chef Martin Shanahan's restaurant to sell home to repay funds

    Court appearance at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on guilty pleas to nine theft and false document charges covering 2017 to 2022. Compensation has been paid, and the defence asked for an adjournment to allow the sale of her home. Sentencing is set for 4 November.

    convicted, Nessa Gilsenan, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nessa Gilsenanvictim, Martin Shanahan, irish (judged from name)Martin Shanahan