[Ireland] Former Virgin Media TV payroll administrator accused of €870k theft

A former Virgin Media Television payroll administrator has been sent forward for trial accused of stealing more than €870,000 from the broadcaster, Irish Examiner reports.

Kellie Walton (39) of Dublin was previously charged - in March 2020 - with the theft of €64,509 in cash, property of TV3/Virgin Media Television, on a date in 2018. She was also accused of stealing €70,614 in 2019 from the television station in Ballymount, Dublin.

Investigating gardaí John Tuthill and David Jennings were given further time to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). An eight-volume file was sent to the DPP following the probe which went back over 10 years.

This April, 20 additional charges were brought against Ms Walton. There were 10 further counts of theft from the station - from 2009 to 2019 - bringing the total to €870,500. The majority of the time period covered by the charges predated the acquisition of TV3 by Virgin Media in 2015.

Ms Walton and her partner John Murray (40) were each charged with 10 money laundering offences. The DPP directed trial on indictment which, on conviction, has wider sentencing powers.

The couple made no reply to the charges and appeared again at Dublin District Court on Monday. Books of evidence were served on them by the State and Judge Miriam Walsh agreed to the DPP’s request to grant a return for trial order.

Judge Walsh told Ms Walton and Mr Murray they were being sent forward for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where they will face their next hearing on July 22. They have not yet indicated how they will plead.

Defence solicitor Luke Staines told the court the pair were applying for legal aid which would allow them to be represented by senior counsel. This was due to the seriousness of the charges, he explained.

Detective Garda Jennings - who served the books of evidence - told the court the case related to alleged theft of approximately €850,000 over 10 years.

A former Virgin Media Television payroll administrator has been sent forward for trial accused of stealing more than €870,000 from the broadcaster, Irish Examiner reports.

Kellie Walton (39) of Dublin was previously charged - in March 2020 - with the theft of €64,509 in cash, property of TV3/Virgin Media Television, on a date in 2018. She was also accused of stealing €70,614 in 2019 from the television station in Ballymount, Dublin.

Investigating gardaí John Tuthill and David Jennings were given further time to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). An eight-volume file was sent to the DPP following the probe which went back over 10 years.

This April, 20 additional charges were brought against Ms Walton. There were 10 further counts of theft from the station - from 2009 to 2019 - bringing the total to €870,500. The majority of the time period covered by the charges predated the acquisition of TV3 by Virgin Media in 2015.

Ms Walton and her partner John Murray (40) were each charged with 10 money laundering offences. The DPP directed trial on indictment which, on conviction, has wider sentencing powers.

The couple made no reply to the charges and appeared again at Dublin District Court on Monday. Books of evidence were served on them by the State and Judge Miriam Walsh agreed to the DPP’s request to grant a return for trial order.

Judge Walsh told Ms Walton and Mr Murray they were being sent forward for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where they will face their next hearing on July 22. They have not yet indicated how they will plead.

Defence solicitor Luke Staines told the court the pair were applying for legal aid which would allow them to be represented by senior counsel. This was due to the seriousness of the charges, he explained.

Detective Garda Jennings - who served the books of evidence - told the court the case related to alleged theft of approximately €850,000 over 10 years.