Former council chair jailed for two years and nine months for theft

Used money to pay male escorts and to buy drugs

A former Fine Gael councillor and cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council has been jailed for two years and nine months for stealing €172,000 from a housing charity.

Seán McKiernan (44) pleaded guilty to the theft of just over €172,000 from Navan Mental Health Housing Association in 2019 and 2020.

During a sentencing hearing, Trim Circuit Court heard that the 44-year-old used the money to pay male escorts from South America and to procure drugs, including liquid ecstasy, crystal meth and cocaine.

For full court report, click here.

McKiernan, with an address at Trinity Bungalow, Virginia Road, Bailieborough, pleaded guilty to nine sample charges relating to the theft, having already admitted two counts, relating to the theft.

The court heard that it related to 58 cheques, made payable to 33 individuals.

The cheques were lodged into 32 bank accounts, across 22 different branches, totalling €172,120 and ranged from €700 to €6,000.

The case was previously put back after Judge John Martin, who was presiding over the case, had to excuse himself from it.

The judge 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.

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.