A driver trusted by his boss above every other employee yesterday admitted a series of thefts from an oil company with a yearly turnover of €20 million.
Ivan Farrell (55) admitted 12 sample charges of theft totalling €4,695 in a case where, gardaí told Donegal District Court, a vast sum of oil was stolen.
Farrell was fined €36,000 and ordered to pay immediate compensation of €15,000 to Eddie McCaffrey, owner of E and J Oils of Ballintra, Co Donegal.
Garda Martin McCarron said a search of Farrell’s property revealed two large fuel tanks, both full.
Garda McCarron said his inquiry showed that Farrell collected money from customers and returned a lesser amount to his employers.
Farrell admitted in an interview that he could have been thieving from the company for five years.
Judge Kevin Kilrane was told that Farrell was a respected member of the community. He was a founder member of Donegal sub-aqua club and had assisted gardaí in a number of search and rescue operations.