Employee who stole told to complete service

A BUILDING society employee who stole more than €9,000 from customers' accounts has been told by a judge he must complete 150 hours of community service satisfactorily or face jail.

Wayne Power was working for Irish Nationwide Building Society in Fairview, Dublin, when he stole the money to pay mortgage and credit card debts.

Power (28), with an address at The Drive, Mornington Manor, Mornington, Co Meath, had pleaded guilty to stealing amounts ranging from €600 to €2,000 on different dates between June and September 2005.

The total amount stolen was €9,100 and was taken from accounts opened by a mother for her four daughters at the Irish Nationwide Building Society branch at Marino Mart, Fairview.

At Kilmainham District Court last July, Judge Ann Watkin was told by counsel for Power that he had debts on four credit cards and his mortgage and had been told by his boss he might have to be demoted due to an economic downturn. Power had stolen the money because of the financial pressures he was under, counsel said.

Judge Watkin imposed a sentence of 150 hours' community service on Power with six months' jail in default of that. Power was remanded on continuing bail until yesterday to allow reports to be prepared.

When the case was called before Judge William Early at Richmond court, Power attended with his solicitor, Patrick O'Brien, who told the judge he had not seen any community service reports on the matter.

A solicitor for the State said a report was not to hand.

Judge Early told Power he must carry out the community service order in a manner to be specified by the relevant services.