Over €140,000 stolen from Cork healthcare firm over four years

Over €140,000 was stolen over a four-year period from Change Healthcare Ireland Solutions Ltd in Buttevant by a 59-year-old woman who appeared yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Deborah Lynch of Hazelwood, Kilglass, Co Limerick, affirmed her signed plea of guilty to a total of 43 charges when she appeared in the circuit court.

Some 20 of the counts are for theft of sums ranging from around €3,000 to over €9,000 from Change Healthcare Ireland Solutions Ltd of Grange East, Buttevant, Co Cork, on dates between April 2019 and July 2023.

The remaining 23 charges are for creating false documents to facilitate the thefts.

Suzanne Gorey, prosecution barrister, said that a victim impact statement would be prepared in advance of sentencing.

Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said: “There is compensation that has to be raised. She won’t be able to raise the entirety, but would like the opportunity to put her best foot forward in that regard.”

Ms McCarthy said Lynch had no previous convictions.

As well as bringing compensation to court, there would also be testimonials for the defendant.

Judge Helen Boyle put sentencing back until November 2 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The circumstances that gave rise to the 43 charges will be outlined on that occasion.