The former treasurer of a GAA club in Co Limerick, who stole cash and forged cheques from the club worth almost €100,000, has been jailed for a year at Limerick Circuit Court.
Patricia Carroll, 49, of Chapel Street in Kilfinane had pleaded guilty to stealing cash of over €63,000.
She also pleaded guilty to forging cheques worth over €34,000 from the Blackrock club in Kilfinane between dates in October 2005 and March 2007.
She had sold her home in Kilfinane for over €65,000 to try to make amends to the club, but accepted that this fell short of what was owed.
Passing sentence today, Judge Carroll said she had abused her position of trust at the club and had left the club in a very vulnerable position.
Despite appeals from defence counsel that a portion of the sentence be suspended, Judge Moran said a one-year sentence was as lenient as he could be.
He did agree to give Ms Carroll a week to get her affairs in order.
She must present herself to Limerick Prison next Tuesday.
