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. 11063Theft · Co. Cork

Woman to sell property to raise compensation after guilty plea in Kinsale restaurant theft case, Cork

Nessa Gilsenan, a 52-year-old woman who was an employee of the Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale, County Cork, is alleged to have stolen money from the restaurant's owner, TV chef Martin Shanahan, between 2017 and 2022 by submitting false documents to the staff payroll system. She first appeared in court in March 2025, where she faced 132 charges of theft and submitting false documents. On 10 February 2026, at the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork, she pleaded guilty to stealing more than €300,000, handed up a €15,000 bank draft towards compensation and said she would raise more by selling a property. Sentencing was adjourned until 4 November to allow for the sale of the property.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted10 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Nessa Gilsenan, a 52-year-old woman who was an employee of the restaurant, pleaded guilty to stealing more than €300,000 from TV chef Martin Shanahan.
Where
The restaurant is the Fishy Fishy in Kinsale, County Cork, owned by Martin Shanahan.
When
The offences took place between 2017 and 2022.
Cause
The thefts involved submitting false documents relating to the staff payroll system to make gain for herself.
Charges
Gilsenan first appeared in court in March 2025 and faced 132 charges relating to theft and submitting false documents.
Other details
  • Individual sums stolen ranged from €82 to €1,650.
  • Yearly sums stolen were over €26,000 in 2017, almost €55,000 in 2018, over €75,000 in 2019, over €63,000 in 2020, almost €69,000 in 2021 and almost €15,000 in 2022.
In court
  • On 10 February 2026 the case was heard at the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork before Judge Helen Boyle.
  • Gilsenan's legal counsel said she plans to raise compensation by selling a property.
  • Gilsenan had a €15,000 bank draft in court to be handed over towards compensation.
Sentence
Sentencing was adjourned until 4 November to allow for the sale of the property.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNessa Gilsenan pleaded guilty to stealing more than €300,000 from TV chef Martin Shanahan. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe restaurant is the Fishy Fishy in Kinsale, County Cork. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place between 2017 and 2022. (rte.ie)
  • chargeGilsenan faced 132 charges relating to theft and submitting false documents relating to the staff payroll system. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork. (rte.ie)
  • courtGilsenan plans to raise compensation by selling a property. (rte.ie)
  • courtGilsenan had a €15,000 bank draft in court to be handed over towards compensation. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned until 4 November to allow for the sale of the property. (rte.ie)
  • otherGilsenan was an employee of the restaurant. (rte.ie)
  • otherGilsenan is 52 years old. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe individual sums stolen ranged from €82 to €1,650. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Feb2026
    Convictedrte.ie, first report
    Woman to sell property to raise compensation, court hears

    Court update: Gilsenan pleaded guilty, has a €15,000 bank draft towards compensation, plans to sell a property, and sentencing is adjourned to 4 November.

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