An 18-year-old Canada Life assurance company employee who stole cheques worth over £320,000 because of her infatuation with a Nigerian national is to carry out 200 hours' community service.
Ashling McGrath was asked by Adebayo Ogunkoya Demuren to steal three cheques for him. He later cashed £2,250 before fleeing to Amsterdam. He was jailed for 30 months last year. McGrath, of St Brigid's Road, Killester, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of larceny in 1998.
Mr Conor Devally, defending, said McGrath's actions had caused "incredible turmoil" for her family but they supported her fully.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne said it was a very serious offence but little was achieved by the theft. She directed that McGrath serve a two-year sentence if the community service was not carried out.