Stole more than £700 from store

Darren McConaghy (41), North Street, Lurgan, admitted the theft of £763.84 between May 1 and June 17 this year.

He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year and fined £250.

The court heard that while he was working as a store manager McConaghy took money from the till on the false pretence that he was making refunds to customers but keeping the money for himself. This came to £263.84. He also took £500 from the drop safe which, he claimed, he would put back at the end of the month.

McConaghy was dismissed from his job and when interviewed he made a full admission. He paid back all the money. The case had been adjourned from a previous court so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

A barrister representing McConaghy said it was a remarkably good report and that the defendant had an excellent reputation as far as his career was concerned. But, he added, the defendant was under tremendous pressure and had been drinking. He took the money to fund his drinking but he knew he was going to be caught.

The lawyer explained that McConaghy had been working 80 hours a week but was getting paid for half that time and it was perhaps a cry for help that he put himself in a position where he would be caught.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said McConaghy had a fairly senior position and was something like a troubleshooter for the company.