A FORMER GAA club treasurer in Co Limerick who stole almost €100,000 from the club has raised €65,000 from the sale of her home, a court heard yesterday.
Patricia Carroll (49), of Chapel Street, Kilfinane, Co Limerick, took €98,316 from Blackrock GAA club over 18 months.
Previously Limerick Circuit Court heard that efforts were being made by the mother of one to sell her home to raise money to repay the club.
Her barrister, Mark Nicholas, told the court that one offer on the house had fallen through because of the current economic climate.
Last December Ms Carroll pleaded guilty to 19 charges arising out of the theft of €63,534 in cash from the club’s weekly lotto draw on dates between October 2005, and March 2007.
She also pleaded guilty to forging cheques to the value of €34,773 during the same period.
In February Judge Carroll Moran described the amount of money owed to the club as “simply too large a sum to ignore” and warned Ms Carroll that she might go to jail if the money was not repaid.
Yesterday her defence counsel informed Judge Moran that his client’s house had been sold for €75,000.
Mr Nicholas explained that after fees and expenses were paid this had netted Ms Carroll a profit of €65,000.
He told the court that Blackrock GAA club might need time to consider the offer, which he said was the most his client was likely to be able to come up with given she was living on social welfare.
Judge Moran adjourned the case for two weeks “to consider the situation”.
Ms Carroll, who was present in court for yesterday’s brief hearing, is due to appear before the same court again on May 5th.