Former H&M store manager sentenced to 220 hours community service

By Brendan Grehan

A FORMER Store Manager of H&M store in Liffey Valley who stole over €1,000 has been sentenced to 220 hours Community Service by Blanchardstown District Court.

Gary Maguire had pleaded guilty to 19 charges of stealing cash from H&M in Liffey Valley.

Hearing that Maguire had lost his job, Judge David McHugh said: “Proper order”.

The court had heard that Maguire had been a store manager in H&M in Liffey Valley and on dates between January 28 and February 23, 2016, he copied customers transactions and went to the back of the store and processed refunds for the transactions without the customers consent.

The total amount taken was €1,115.

Maguire, aged 26, with an address at Garrynisk Road, Kingswood Heights, Tallaght, had admitted to stealing €60 and €40 on January 28, 2016, €90 and €80 on February 5, 2016, €70 and €90 on February 7, 2016, €50 and €80 on February 12, 2016, €40, €70, €70 and €90 on February 13, 2016, €70 on February 18, 2016, €40, €30, €40 and €55 on February 22, 2016, €40, €50 and €30 on February 23, 2016.

Maguire was before Judge McHugh for a probation report and for sentencing.

The court had heard Maguire had been depressed at the time and was using the money to assist his mother in paying her mortgage.

Maguire’s solicitor, Valerie Buckley said the report was very positive. She said the report indicated that her client was “at a very low risk of reoffending”.

Ms Buckley said her client had been under extreme financial pressure at the time of the offences and had succumbed to temptation. Ms Buckley said Maguire had the money in court to pay back to H&M.

Judge McHugh asked Ms Buckley if Maguire had lost his job. Ms Buckley said he had.

Judge McHugh said: “Proper order”.

He said he took a very serious view of offences where employees steal from their work and these offences were “at the very bottom of the pit”. He said that sentencing for such offences should have two options and added that he was choosing the second option.

He sentenced Maguire to 220 hours community service with five months jail in default.