Woman used elderly man’s bank card to buy clothes from Brown Thomas
Carlow Courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A woman who used an elderly man’s bank account to fund purchases at Brown Thomas and Dublin Airport has been told she is “lucky” to avoid prison after a judge described the crime as “clearly premeditated and clearly planned”.
Wuraola Alabi (48) of Branswood, Athy, Co Kildare was sentenced to 200 hours’ community service in lieu of 12 months in custody when she appeared before Judge John King at Carlow District Court recently.
The court had previously heard that 17 fraudulent transactions, with a combined value of €2,289.04, were identified on the victim’s Bank of Ireland account between 26 and 29 June 2025. These included online clothing purchases from Brown Thomas, Dublin and purchases at Dublin Airport. When gardaí searched Ms Alabi’s home on 11 July 2025, she co-operated, showed officers items from Brown Thomas bought with a fraudulent debit card and made full admissions.
At the latest sitting, Judge King asked whether a victim impact statement was forthcoming, given the previous unspecified relationship between Ms Alabi and the injured party, who is an elderly man. Reviewing the probation report, the judge said: “The victim needs to be canvassed.”
Ms Alabi’s solicitor told the court that all monies had been paid in compensation to the injured party, having been handed over to the gardaí in July 2025.
The solicitor said her client was “extremely stressed” and had suffered “an emotional breakdown”, adding: “She has never been through something like this before.”
When asked about the breakdown, the solicitor said Ms Alabi was awaiting a GP appointment but had no documentation to hand into court. She said her client wanted the matter to be over.
“I’ll be quite frank: I need a victim impact statement, looking at what’s here,” said Judge King, adding that there was no need for a medical report in relation to the alleged breakdown.
However, Inspector Conor Nolan told the court: “Unfortunately canvassing the victim isn’t possible. Due to circumstances, he won’t be in position to provide one; he suffers from Alzheimer’s.”
The court heard the victim had not been suffering from cognitive impairment at the time of Ms Alabi’s arrest, as he had assisted gardaí then.
In mitigation, the solicitor said: “My client has repaid in full. She’s extremely sorry and extremely remorseful. She has never been in trouble in her life. She’s 48 years old; she’s at a low risk of reoffending; I don’t think she’ll ever come to garda attention again.”
The court heard that Ms Alabi, who works part-time, wished to make a donation to the court poor box.
“It would have a serious impact on her children if she gets a conviction,” the solicitor continued. “Her and husband have gone their separate ways and she is the main breadwinner. I’m asking the court to strike this out on this occasion.”
“Not in my wildest dreams will I be doing that,” Judge King shot back.
“I don’t think we’ll ever see her in court again – she is extremely distressed about it,” the solicitor insisted, handing up a letter Ms Alabi had written.
Having read the letter, Judge King said the offence would “warrant a considerable custodial sentence”, describing it as “clearly premeditated and clearly planned”.
“She took advantage of a relationship,” he added, referring to the fact that Ms Alabi knew the elderly victim.
“Because she has no previous, I will order a community service order in lieu of a custodial sentence. It will be 200 hours of community service in lieu of 12 months of custody,” said the judge.
He noted that Ms Alabi was lucky that she had pleaded guilty, had no previous convictions and had compensated the victim, as otherwise she would be facing a prison sentence.
“She has 12 months to complete community service, and if she doesn’t, she’ll be back before me,” Judge King said.
