A former bursar of a private secondary school has been sentenced to one year in jail for stealing half a million euros from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod to support her gambling addiction.

Mary Higgins (63) was found guilty of embezzling €500,000 from the school between January 2012 and March 2017. Despite efforts to repay most of the money by selling her home and pension, the judge emphasized the severity of the breach of trust and imposed a custodial sentence.

Judge Orla Crowe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court described Higgins' actions as an 'egregious breach of trust' given her position of responsibility at the school for over two decades. She highlighted the significant amount of money involved and the impact on the school.

Det Gda Brendan O’Hora revealed that Higgins had full control over the school's finances, with no oversight, allowing her to steal cash intended for bank lodgements. She confessed to using the funds for gambling and expressed remorse during interviews with authorities.

Despite repaying most of the stolen amount and engaging in addiction counseling, Higgins was sentenced to one year in prison, with the final two years suspended. She acknowledged her wrongdoing and accepted the consequences of her actions.