An Ennis homeless rights campaigner has been convicted of stealing nearly 27,000 euro from an 88-year old man over a four year period.
However, Josephine O'Brien has walked free from court after she was given a suspended three-year jail term.
60-year-old Josephine O'Brien of Bridge View, Roselevan, Ennis was found guilty on nine of the ten counts of theft before the court.
In total, she stole €26,852 from Stephen O'Halloran, an 88 year old care home patient at St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis, between July 2006 and October 2010
Ms O’Brien withdrew the money from his pension, and used some of it to open up a drop-in centre for the homeless at Chapel Lane in Ennis. She told Gardaí that the rest was used "to pay off bits and pieces" but not on herself.
Ennis Circuit Court heard that Stephen O'Halloran didn't wish to see Ms O'Brien jailed, while giving character evidence on her behalf, Church of Ireland rector Canon Bob Hanna said she was filling holes that no one else has in the care of the homeless.
Judge Gerard Keyes imposed a suspended three-year jail term on Josephine O'Brien, saying society wouldn’t be served by an immediate custodial sentence.
She has also been ordered to pay back 100 euro per month during the suspended jail term.
