Donegal woman who stole € 760,000 from her employer and spoiled it in expensive bags and clothes jailed for two years

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A WOMAN who stole 760,000 euros from an education authority and spoiled it in expensive bags and clothes has been jailed for two years.

Tara Sweeney, 47, pleaded guilty to taking money from her employer, the Donegal Education Center, over a six-year period.

Tara Sweeney pleaded guilty to taking money from the Donegal Education CenterCredit: Newspix

However, the Donegal Circuit Court heard that many of the items were never removed from their packaging.

Sweeney was an account manager at the center in Donegal Town from 2009 to 2015 and had access to bank accounts.

But in 2015, a new company director suspected large sums of money were missing.

Sweeney, of The Glebe, Donegal Town, resigned.

An investigation discovered transfers worth 760,000 euros in his account.

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Further investigation found that he spent much of the money on clothing, bags, perfumes, and jewelry with many high-end brands, such as Prada and Gucci.

His attorney, Peter Nolan, told the court that the case and his actions had destroyed his life.

He said he is selling his house, with a profit of 60,000 to 70,000 euros to pay for his old job.

And Mr. Nolan said that she “is now an outcast in Donegal City.”

He added: “This has been a catastrophic event in his life. He has lost his home, he has lost his family, he has no friends and is now in an outcast in Donegal City. “

Judge John Aylmer said that Ms. Sweeney also committed a serious breach of trust against her employers.

He said it had been suggested that the thefts were the result of “compulsive addiction,” but said there was no psychological or psychiatric evidence for this, rather it was the result of purchasing “bad mood” products.