A former county councillor has been sentenced to prison after admitting he stole a staggering £150,000 from a mental health housing charity, spending the funds on South American male escorts and illegal drugs including crystal meth.
A Serious Breach of Trust
Sean McKiernan, 44, of Bailieborough, was handed a prison term of three years and nine months at Trim Circuit Court, with the final year suspended. The ex-Fine Gael representative, who was once the youngest ever cathaoirleach (chair) of Cavan County Council, pleaded guilty to 11 sample counts of theft from the Navan Mental Health Housing Association.
Judge Jonathan Dunphy condemned the thefts as a "serious breach of trust to a number of vulnerable people". The court heard the charity, founded by the late Margot Davis, was established to provide independent living for those with mental health issues in the community.
How the Fraud Unfolded
McKiernan, who served as secretary and treasurer of the Co Meath charity, exploited his position of trust. He obtained chequebooks from the association's accountants and persuaded fellow trustees to sign blank cheques, claiming they were for legitimate charity purposes.
Between March 2019 and April 2020, he orchestrated the theft of funds through 58 separate cheques, with individual amounts ranging from £615 to £5,270. Detective Garda Sean Patterson of Navan Garda Station traced the money to 33 individuals across 32 separate bank accounts.
The investigation revealed the recipients were predominantly South American male escorts, with McKiernan using the stolen charity money to pay for sex and drugs. Videos recovered from his phone showed him smoking from a crack pipe and in compromising situations.
The Devastating Impact and Fallout
The fraud had catastrophic consequences for the charity. The Navan Mental Health Housing Association no longer exists under its original name and has been taken over by Drogheda Homeless Aid.
In court, defence barrister Gareth Baker said his client was "deeply ashamed" and acknowledged he had "grossly abused trust and power". He stated McKiernan, who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, had suffered "seismic reputational damage" and that his life in public service was over.
Despite claims he would repay sums of £44,000 and even £205,000, no money was ever returned. The judge refused a request to postpone the jail term to allow McKiernan to arrange care for his elderly parents.
Sean McKiernan, a councillor for the Bailieborough area from 2007 to 2014, now begins his sentence, followed by two years of probation supervision upon his release.
