A woman who stole nearly €18,000 from her elderly mother has been sentenced to nine months in prison after bringing €140 in compensation to court.
Clare Armstrong (51), Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin, took the money from her mother's bank account with her ATM card over a nine-month period from December 2008 to August 2009.
The thefts took place at bank machines in Rathmines and Rathgar and it was the woman's brother who discovered and reported the thefts as their mother, who is in her 80s, is in a nursing home.
Judge Dermot Dempsey said it was a "mean and despicable act" and sentenced her at Swords District Court.
The court heard that nearly €18,000 was stolen but there is an outstanding amount of €11,620.
"Where are we going with €140?" asked Judge Dempsey who said it is not a realistic amount. "The injured party is not going to recover her money."
Judge Dempsey said he had given Armstrong "every opportunity" before sentencing her to nine months in prison.