Woman accused of creche theft of €117k

A CHILDCARE worker has appeared in court accused of stealing some €117,000 from a creche over three years.

The court heard Avril O’Brien, 49, ‘goes on several foreign holidays a year’, has a mobile home in Co. Wexford and earns wages of €400 a week.

Garda Geraldine Ross told Tallaght District Court O’Brien was arrested on December 4 last and was later charged with 106 offences. She said Ms O’Brien made no reply to the charges.

Ms O’Brien of Raheen Crescent, Tallaght, Co. Dublin, is charged with stealing from Loreto Playgroup in Springfield, Tallaght, on dates between 2013 and 2016.

Garda Ross said it will be alleged the total stolen was €117,000. O’Brien is no longer working at the playgroup. She said the DPP had directed trial on indictment.

Pádraig O’Donovan, defending, said Ms O’Brien was applying for legal aid.

Garda Ross said she was objecting to legal aid, saying Ms O’Brien owns her own home and is in fulltime employment. She said Ms O’Brien has a mobile home in Co. Wexford and ‘goes on several foreign holidays a year’.

Mr O’Donovan produced a payslip showing Ms O’Brien earns €400 a week. Judge McNamara remanded Ms O’Brien on bail to reappear in court on February 1.

Loreto playgroup is run under the auspices of the South Dublin Council childcare committee.