Donegal childminder convicted after series of thefts

A childminder from Donegal has avoided being jailed after a series of thefts - including cash belonging to children she looked after.

Denise Wilson was handed a two-month suspended prison sentence when she appeared at Letterkenny District Court this week.

Wilson, a 35-year-old with an address at Bought Road, Ramelton, was charged with five counts of of theft from the home of a Letterkenny-based couple. The sums taken totalled €2,720.

The incidents related to various unknown dates in 2021 and 2022.

The Court heard details that Wilson was employed as a childminder for a couple’s young children, and had engaged in a series of thefts of cash from their home.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that some of the cash stolen belonged to the couple's children and had been hidden in a wardrobe in a bedroom.

One of the incidents related to the theft of €1,000 from the victim's mother, who was suffering from dementia.

Mr Frank Dorrian, representing Wilson, outlined that his client had admitted the matter at an early stage in the investigation and taken full responsibility for what occurred.

He proffered an apology on her behalf and outlined his client was prepared to repay in full the amount stolen, €2720.00.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said the case involved a ’significant breach of trust’, was a serious matter and approved the repayment to the victims.

Taking note of the fact that Wilson had no previous convictions, Judge Cunningham sentenced the accused to two months imprisonment, the entirety of which was suspended for 12 months.