Mary Higgins, a 63-year-old former school bursar, has been sentenced to a year in jail for stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod over a five-year period to fuel her gambling addiction.

Higgins, who resided in Castleknock, admitted to the theft between January 1, 2012, and March 23, 2017. She had a long history with the school, having been a pupil there for 12 years and later working there for 24 years.

Judge Orla Crowe emphasized that Higgins had breached the trust placed in her as she was responsible for managing all the school's finances and was the primary signatory on the bank account. The judge noted that the offense involved a significant sum of money over an extended duration.

Despite pleading guilty and undergoing treatment for her gambling problem, Higgins was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final two years suspended. She had sold her assets and pension to repay over €470,000 of the stolen amount.

Throughout the sentencing hearing, Higgins expressed regret and shared her struggles with the court. She had hoped for a big win to repay the school but found herself sinking deeper into debt. Gardaí involved in the case commended her for showing genuine remorse and actively seeking help.

It was revealed that Higgins had been attending Gamblers Anonymous and had become a voluntary counselor to assist others. Detective Garda Brendan O’Hora confirmed that all the embezzled funds were used for gambling purposes, with substantial amounts paid to bookmakers.

Her defense counsel described the case as tragic, highlighting Higgins's dedication to addressing her issues head-on. The court acknowledged the impact of her father's gambling problems on her life and the subsequent escalation of her own addiction.

Despite the delays in the legal proceedings due to forensic accounting reports, Higgins's sentence reflects the severity of her actions and the breach of trust she committed.