A single mum of two has avoided jail after going on a massive spending spree with money that didn’t belong to her. Margaret McDonnell blew 25 grand on gifts after it was mistakenly lodged in her bank account.
The court heard this was a case of the goose laying a golden egg and the accused didn’t know when it was going to stop. In March 2013 - 51 thousand euro was lodged into Margaret McDonnell’s account by mistake following a banking error.
The 25 year old mum of Rathvilly Park in Finglas didn’t question why the money was in her account and went on a high spending almost 25 thousand euro in two weeks. The single mum of two bought bed linen and shoes for her children, ate out every night, purchased gifts for her family and friends including two crystal vases and a lamp worth around 12 hundred euro.
She told gardai that she spent the money on everything and anything describing them as stupid things. The Judge gave her 150 hours of community service meaning she’s avoided a jail sentence.
The Judge ordered her to do 150 hours of community service in lieu of an 18 month prison sentence. She must also pay the bank back one thousand euro within the next 18 months.
Judge Cormac Quinn said it was clear the money wasn’t hers, and told her if something in life is “too good to be true, it usually is''.
