A 51-year-old woman has been before the district court at Bandon in Co Cork charged with stealing more than €70,000 from the well-known TV chef Martin Shanahan at his Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale.
Nessa Gilsenan of Copper Beech House, Mellifontstown, Kinsale, Co Cork, was remanded on bail.
Fishy Fishy was established in Kinsale 20 years ago by TV chef Martin Shanahan and his wife Marie.
The restaurant has won many awards for its use of local seafood.
Ms Gilsenan was an employee of the restaurant.
She faces more than 130 charges of which over 100 relate to theft of sums ranging from less than €100 to more than €1,000 from the restaurant.
The amounts total more than €70,000.
She is also facing a number of charges which allege she dishonestly produced or made use of a document when furnishing information to Mr Shanahan for approval of the weekly staff payroll payment, knowing that it was misleading, false or deceptive, with the intention of making a gain.
The charges relate to a five-year period between 2017 and 2022.
The court was told the Director of Public Prosecutions was seeking a return for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court.
Ms Gilsenan's solicitor, Daithí Ó Donnabháin, told the court he was seeking a lengthy adjournment so Ms Gilsenan could consider her position.
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He said he hoped it would not be necessary for the State to compile a book of evidence in the case.
Ms Gilsenan was granted free legal aid.
Judge John King remanded her on continuing bail.
She will be back before the court again on 15 May.
