Former councillor to be arraigned on theft charges

Charged with theft of €172K from mental health charity

A 43-year-old former councillor and Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, who is accused of the theft of €172,000 from a Meath-based charity had his case put back for a hearing next month when he appeared at Trim Circuit Court today.

Sean McKiernan with an address at Trinity Bungalow, Virginia Road, Bailieborough, Co Cavan, is charged with 58 counts of theft at various unknown locations within the State from Navan Mental Health Housing Association in amounts ranging from €500 to €7,500 in 2019.

At a recent hearing the circuit court was told that a jury would not be required in the case. At today's session Judge John Martin fixed July 4 as the date when the accused will be arraigned.

That means he must indicate on that occasion whether he will plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.

A Fine Gael councillor for Bailieborough electoral area from 2007-2014, Sean McKiernan made history in 2011 when at age 29 he was elected as the youngest ever chairman, or Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council. He was returned unopposed to the position.

He was also a member of Cavan/Monaghan ETB and served a term as its cathaoirleach.