A man who stole thousands from a charity that sent sick children to Lapland has been spared jail.
John Cornelius Murphy from Killiney was given a three year fully suspended sentence. This was on the condition that he did not fundraise for a period of 3 years.
In 2010, Mr Murphy lodged four cheques totalling €18,643 from the Children to Lapland Appeal into his own personal bank account. He set the charity up in 1987 but it was liquidated in 2012.
Murphy revealed in his sentencing hearing that he now runs the Make It Happen Foundation, which sends sick children on day trips around the country.
Today’s court heard that the company directors have distanced themselves from it because of concerns over the handling of finances. Mr Murphy’s barrister made it clear that he did not have access to that bank account.
Judge Patrick McCartan handed him a three year suspended sentence and ordered him not to engage in charity fundraising for the next three years. Murphy was also instructed to pay half of the money he stole to the Barretstown children’s charity and the rest to the children’s hospital in Crumlin.