A former treasurer of a Co Antrim GAA club who defrauded it of more than £100,000 to fund his gambling addiction has been handed a suspended sentence.
Antrim Crown Court heard that Patrick Kane (47), from Ardmoyle Park in Cushendall, has since repaid the money to Ruairí Óg CLG.
He admitted three counts of committing fraud by abusing the position he held as treasurer.
Kane was yesterday given an 18-month sentence, suspended for three years.
Judge Donna McColgan said that prosecutor Mark Farrell, in written submissions to the court, detailed how his offending came to light in and around December 2015 when he was confronted by a club member wanting to know the whereabouts of more than £70,000.
Kane initially produced a bogus Danske Bank statement showing the monies, but this compounded the suspicions of the member who knew that particular bank branch had closed two years earlier.
Confronted again, he admitted his guilt.
The Cushendall club has won several Antrim and Ulster titles in hurling and was beaten in the All-Ireland Senior Club Championship final at Croke Park in 2016.
The offences were committed on dates between September 2009 and May 2016.
Judge McColgan said defence submissions by counsel Joseph Brolly, set out how Kane - who appeared before the remote hearing from his solicitor's office - had voluntarily repaid £113,500 to the club prior to police involvement.
The court heard it was clear his motivation in taking the money was to fund his own gambling addiction, for which he had also undergone "extensive treatment" prior to coming to court.
Mr Brolly had also pointed out that Kane had a clear record, had readily admitted his guilt and had shown genuine remorse.
The court previously heard that Kane resigned from his job with Bank of Ireland as a result of his fraud coming to light.
