A thieving principal who stole €200,000 by axing school meals for disadvantaged pupils could face jail after State prosecutors appealed his “unduly lenient” sentence.
Judge John Aylmer showed leniency after Boyle’s lawyers argued to the court that his “significant fall from grace” was affecting his efforts to find a new job. Now, Director of Public Prosecutions Claire Loftus has taken action against the suspended sentence.Boyle, of Annalee Manor, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, had no prior convictions.
At court, he pleaded guilty to five sample charges – including theft of €73,320 from the Department of Social Protection between November 2009 and February 2011.His ill-gotten gains were splashed on golfing trips as well as weekend breaks in London, Dublin and Galway, Cavan Circuit Court heard.And he put some of the cash towards his mortgage and household bills.
The judge gave him 12 months to cough up – and with the help of family and friends, Boyle raised the cash ahead of his final sentencing hearing in March last year. His lawyers also claimed he’d suffered with “underlying and undiagnosed” psychological issues from a young age.