Former councillor put back for mention on theft charges

The sentence of the former Cavan councillor and Cathaoirleach who stole money from a Meath charity was put back for mention to next Friday after the judge presiding over the case had to recuse himself from it.

Sean McKiernan (43), from Trinity Bungalow, Virginia Road, Bailieborough, Cavan was in Trim Circuit Court charged with 58 counts of theft at various unknown locations from Navan Mental Health Housing Association in amounts ranging from €500 to €7,500 in 2019. The total amount stolen is alleged to exceed €172,000.

Judge John Martin told the court he had to recuse himself from the case and another judge is to proceed over Mr McKiernan's case. The judge told the court that he is an external member of the charitable services committee, which leads the charity regulator.

Judge Martin said he brought the issue to the court’s attention as soon as possible and told the court that it would not be appropriate for the case to proceed.

Mr McKiernan's case was put for mention next Friday 14th November in Trim Circuit Court.

McKiernan was a Fine Gael councillor for the Bailieborough electoral area from 2007 to 2014.

He made history in 2011 when, aged 29, he was elected as the youngest cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council.

He was also a member of the Cavan and Monaghan Education Training Board and served a term as its chair.