Accounting professional with awful addiction to gambling took 572,206 from building firm

A dreadful addiction to gambling lead an accountant to take more than 500,000 from a leading construction firm, a court heard today.

Former Co Derry GAA player John (Johnny) Malachy McGurk confessed the theft from quarry and tarmac road firm, Patrick Bradley Ltd at Antrim Crown Court.

The All-Ireland medal winner pleaded guilty to the theft of 572,206. The 50-year-old company accountant likewise admitted 36 other charges involving scams by abuse of his position of trust from July 2006 up until the end of 2011.

Remanded on continuing bail till his sentencing next month, McGurk, who d assisted Co Derry s 1993 group savor All-Ireland glory, left the court not wishing to comment.

Earlier Judge Desmond Marrinan informed McGurk he did not understand him, and for that reason it was very important for him to co-operate totally with probation and describe fully how his offending happened because of a horrible dependency to gambling.

Judge Marrinan stated McGurk, had a previous excellent record, but regrettably now had actually dedicated a very substantial scams which he certainly stood the threat of a custodial sentence.

Defense legal representative Seamus McNeill had actually informed the court that McGurk had been a popular and prominent GAA player, with a clear record, however that his gambling dependency led to his downfall.

Mr. McNeill said in addition to pre-sentence reports from the probation service, the court would also be provided with a report from a top psychiatrist on how his life had changed.

Prosecutor Amanda Brady, who agreed that possible confiscation procedures be adjourned for the present, stated that they would be offering an impact declaration from the Kilrea based company on the financial effect McGurk’s upsetting has actually had.

McGurk, who likewise helped his regional Lavey team raise the 1991 GAA All-Ireland club title, lodged the taken cash, in the form of cheques made use of company accounts to his own Bank of Ireland savings account.

One of the charges associates with presumably drawing 3,650 in 2011 from the firm coffers for a GAA legends charity golf.