This article is from page 18 of the 2012-10-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A FORMER social care worker from Kildare who fraudently claimed € 7000 from an Ennis based healthcare company has been ordered to make a contribution to charity.
Adrian Sexton (33), with an address at 13 Shrowlands, Athy, Kildare, pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to 46 charges of deception.
The court heard that “financial desperation” drove the former horse trainer to steal from his employer. Mr Sexton fought back tears as details of the case were heard in court.
Detective Garda William Delaney of Ennis Garda Station said Mr Sexton worked as a social worker for TTM Healthcare, Ballymaley Busi- ness Park.
The court heard that Mr Sexton submitted fraudulent timesheets that exaggerated the amount owed to him for work he said he carried out at children’s care units in New Ross, Newbridge and Drumcondra.
The offences dated from September 19 (2011) to January 2 (2012).
The amounts claimed for ranged in size from € 8 to € 500. The court heard that Mr Sexton repaid all the money owed to the company.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Pubic Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case on a plea of guilty only. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.
Detective Delaney told the court that the fraud came to light when TTM Healthcare were informed by the care centres in question that the work had not been carried out. He said Mr Sexton cooperated fully with the garda investigation.
He has no previous convictions.
Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that Mr Sexton previously worked as a horse trainer near the Curragh.
He said the father-of-four was under extreme financial pressure at the time.
The court heard he volounteers with a number of organisations including Cuan Mhuire and Chernobyl Ireland. He also works with his local GAA club.
Mr Sexton has since lost his job with TTM Healthcare. Mr Hassett said;
“It is the height of stupidity, not matter what pressure he was under.”
Insp Kennedy said Mr Sexton was “clearly remorseful” for his actions. He described the offences as “completely out of character.”
The court heard that the Sexton family are moving to Australia to seek work.
Judge Patrick Durcan said these were serious offences “that happened systematically over a period of time.”
Noting the accused’s guilty plea, total co-operation and his repayment of the money, Judge Durcan ordered Mr Sexton to pay € 1000 to the court poor box by December 30.
He said the charges would be struck out if the payment is made by that date.