Woman (62) admits stealing €57,000 from older man she helped to look after

Seán McCárthaigh

A woman has admitted stealing almost €57,000 from an older man in Wicklow whom she helped to look after.

Dawn Lambert (62), of St Manntan’s Park, Wicklow town, pleaded guilty at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of theft on dates between September 24th, 2022, and June 20th, 2024.

The court heard the accused had taken a total of €56,550 from an AIB account in Wicklow Town belonging to Patrick Maher.

Counsel for the DPP, James Kelly, told the court that Lambert was not an official carer but a friend of the victim.

“She took advantage of the situation,” said Mr Kelly.

However, he indicated that some compensation was to be paid by the defendant.

Judge Terence O’Sullivan said he would accept Lambert’s admissions as an early guilty plea.

The court heard the accused had no previous convictions.

Judge O’Sullivan directed that a probation report be prepared in the case and also sought further information about the offer of compensation.

He also ordered that a victim impact statement be sought.

The judge remanded Lambert on continuing bail to appear again before the same court in early October to fix a sentencing date.