Suspended sentence for principal who stole €100k from Limerick school

A FORMER principal who stole almost €100,000 from the school in Limerick city where he worked has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Imposing sentence at Limerick Circuit Court, Judge Tom O’Donnell said Stephen Condon has “completely spiralled out of control” due to a chronic gambling addiction but has made an “extremely impressive recovery” since his offending came to light.

Mr Condon, aged 43, of The Grange, Raheen had pleaded guilty to 109 counts of theft- relating to incidents which occurred on dates between September 2012 and July 2016.

He was appointed principal of St John the Baptist NS in Garryowen in 2011.

Detective Garda Brendan O'Reilly told a sentencing hearing that in 2016, the chairperson of the board of management, Ger Hegarty attended Henry Street garda station and said he suspected the defendant of “taking money from the school accounts for his personal use”.

Mr Condon was placed on “administrative leave” and a team of forensic accountants commenced a review.

“The report established he stole €56,406 from the school bank account in cash. A further €37,329 was withdrawn on his behalf,” said prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan.

“He was in a position of responsibility and trust. The school had a cheque book which the chair of the board of management was in charge of. The principal was trusted with the cheque book,” he added.

“In general, Mr Condon stole sums of money less than €1,000 - the property of the national school.”

Former Limerick principal who had 'chronic' gambling addiction stole almost €100k from school

Mr Condon was arrested and questioned by gardai in January 2020. He told them he was “very sorry” adding: "I had a severe gambling addiction in 2012. I hid it from my family. I went through all our savings and then school funds.”

Barrister Yvonne Quinn said her client wishes to sincerely apologise to Mr Hegarty, teachers, staff, whole school community, his wife and parents.

“It is a genuine expression of remorse. The cornerstone of his offending was a serious and chronic gambling addiction. He was in a position of trust. He was a very young principal. He made an enormous mistake.

"His marriage broke up but is now back on track. They have three young children. He got enormous family support and attended residential treatment. He resigned from his job and is now in gainful employment in another school,” said Ms Quinn.

Noting the defendant’s guilty plea, his efforts to rehabilitate himself and the fact that all of the monies have since been repaid, Judge O'Donnell said an immediate prison sentence would be “disproportionate in the circumunstances”.

He said Mr Condon is a “good, decent, dedicated family man” and he noted that he is now working in another school.

The judge imposed a 20-month prison sentence, which he suspended in its entirety on condition the former principal stays out of trouble and does not commit any criminal offence.