Care worker in court on 40 theft charges

A 29-year-old care worker has appeared in court on 40 charges of theft from a 71 -year-old woman she was looking after.

Sarah Scanlon of 2 Station View, Tubbercurry, is alleged to have stolen various sums of money from the elderly woman on various dates between December 2016 and March 2017.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne told Sligo District Court last Thursday that the defendant was caring for the elderly woman and that over a period of time was given her ATM card.

It was alleged that the defendant then stole money from the woman’s account through withdrawals, all in small amounts.

The Inspector added that the victim was aged 71 and was wheelchair bound.

Inspector Kilcoyne told Judge Kevin Kilrane that the DPP had directed summary trial in the District Court.

Judge Kilrane said he would adjourn the question of jurisdiction. The case was put back to November 16 th for mention and election by the defendant to the charges.

The defendant was represented by Mr John Anderson, solicitor of McGovern Walsh Solicitors.

An application for legal aid was made but was adjourned after the defendant became visibly upset as she got into the witness box and was about to swear the oath.

Mr Anderson said the defendant was nervous about the court proceedings. She was remanded on her own bail.