Letterkenny nightclub thief caught with €1,100 stolen cash in bra

A bar worker who stole €1,330 from a nightclub and stuffed the cash into her bra has been fined €200 after being caught red-handed.

Emmanuela Ogbeifo appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged in connection with the theft.

The third level psychology and sociology student was working in the Pulse Nightclub in Letterkenny on December 17, 2022 last year when she carried out the cheeky theft.

The court heard that Gardai received a call from the owner of the nightclub, Mr Mark Crossan, to say an employee had been stealing from the till.

CCTV footage was played to Gardai and it showed Ms Ogbeifo taking money from the till and placing it in her jacket.

The accused initially denied taking the cash but then admitted the charge and took more cash from inside her bra.

Ms Ogbeifo, of Ard Ban, Long Lane, Letterkenny, was born in Ireland to Nigerian parents and is currently studying at university.

The 19-year-old was charged that on or between December 17th, 2022 and December 18th, 2022 at Pulse Nightclub, Letterkenny, did steal property to wit €1,330 cash the property of Mark Crossan of the Pulse Nightclub, Contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

She has no previous convictions of any kind.

Her solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, said his client was very embarrassed by the shame the incident had brought on Ms Ogbeifo and her family.

He said the family had a strong Christian attitude and the accused woman said she was very sorry saying she had brought 'disgrace' on herself and her family.

He added that the date of the incident was close to Christmas and that temptation had come her way.

Mr Dorrian said: "This was designed to fail. The till was covered by a camera and the staff knew this and I am not sure how she thought she was going to be successful."

Mr Dorrian said his client was the first person in her family to go to third level education and that her family were of very limited means.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said she was noting that the accused had no previous convictions and her family were of limited means.

However, she added that she would have to mark a conviction as this happened while the accused was working in a position of trust and that this was a breach of that trust.

She fined Ms Ogbeifo €200 and allowed her six months to pay.