Johnson & Johnson worker jailed for spending company money on luxuries

A 32-year-old office manager from Kiltoom, County Roscommon, has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for theft from her employer's social club and use of a company credit card without authorisation. The woman, who worked for Johnson & Johnson, wrote 37 cheques to herself between April 2014 and September 2015, forging colleagues' signatures to access funds. She received €17,326 from 27 cheques, which she spent on luxury holidays to Australia, Sri Lanka and Dubai, as well as restaurants and shopping trips. She subsequently spent a further €3,233 using the company credit card after her initial offending came to light. She pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, two counts of attempted theft, and two counts of making a false instrument. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a two-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended on conditions, backdating it to November of the previous year when the defendant entered custody. The judge considered a psychological report indicating low re-offending risk and noted the offences stemmed from depression.