Accountant used bank card stolen from elderly patient to withdraw €8,000 from banks across Ireland
Declan Brennan
A former accountant used a stolen bank card to take over €8,000 from banks in six counties during “a nationwide tour” lasting six weeks, a court has heard.
Homeless woman Michelle Dillon (59) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five counts of theft and six counts of making a gain by deception on various dates in February and March 2025.
After stealing a bank card and medical card from an elderly patient in a Dublin hospital, Dillon travelled to counties Cork, Clare, Meath, Westmeath, and Wicklow where she presented at various banks and convinced staff to release cash to her from the victim's bank account.
Prosecuting counsel Fergal Foley said that Dillon “went on a nationwide tour”.
Garda Mark Callanan gave evidence that Dillon was a patient in the Mater hospital in Dublin city centre where she met the victim.
After the victim was taken to surgery on the morning of February 20th, 2025, Dillon stole a number of cards from her personal belongings.
That afternoon, Dillon presented at a bank in Cork city and used the stolen cards to convince bank staff there that she was the legitimate account holder. Dillon withdrew €2,500 in cash.
Dillon then used the card to make contactless payments at four premises in the city, including an upmarket hotel, a Penneys shop and an Oxfam charity shop. The total of these payments was €133.
Four days later she again presented herself as the victim at a bank in Bray, Co Wicklow, and withdrew €1,000 in cash.
Some days later, she withdrew €2,000 over the counter at an AIB outlet on Grafton Street in Dublin city.
When Dillon presented at an AIB bank in Navan on March 4th, the victim had by this time reported the theft of her card and there was a “warning mark” on the account notifying staff that there was potential fraud, Foley told the court.
Notwithstanding this Dillon was able to convince staff that she was the account holder, after telling staff that she was aware of the fraudulent transactions. She made a withdrawal of €1,000.
A few weeks later she again convinced bank staff she was the genuine account holder and withdrew €1,000 in cash from an AIB branch in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
On March 31st she withdrew €500 in cash from an AIB branch in Ennis, Co Clare. She was subsequently arrested in October 2025 at Cavan General Hospital after presenting there under a false name.
The victim did not make a victim impact report and the bank has refunded any monies paid out from her account, Gda Callanan testified.
Kevin McCrave, defending, said that his client was a Scottish native who came from a pro-social family and had qualified as a chartered accountant and worked in that field for 17 years. He said she fell into alcoholism after a tragedy befell her family.
He said she was now reduced to living out of a sleeping bag and had no money. He said these offences started with an unplanned “moment of weakness” when Dillon was hospitalised with a genuine health complaint and succumbed to temptation.
He said Dillon has instructed him that she liked the victim and that she knew the bank would reimburse the stolen money to the victim.
Judge Elma Sheahan said the initial theft of the cards was a despicable act on the part of the defendant. She said the subsequent deceptions were “planned, premeditated and brazen”.
She noted Dillon has 78 previous convictions for theft and deception type offences.
She said she was taking into consideration Dillon's early pleas which would have been of assistance to the victim. She noted submissions from McCrave that his client was now alcohol free and wished to remain so.
She imposed a four year prison term but suspended the final six months on condition Dillon keep the peace and be of good behaviour and engage with the Probation Service.
