Irish woman admits stealing €36K from disabled brother, repays part, awaits deferred sentencing.

A 27-year-old Irish woman, Amy Harpur, admitted to stealing over €36,000 from her disabled brother’s account between June 2021 and July 2022 using her phone for 178 unauthorized transactions. The victim, who has autism and Asperger syndrome, was unaware. Harpur, who has no prior convictions, said she initially took money to pay a drug debt but lost control due to substance abuse. She confessed after arrest in September 2023, is now drug-free, has a job in Derry, and brought €22,789 to court to repay part of the loss. Her mother supports her. Judge John Aylmer deferred sentencing until October 2026, allowing for a non-custodial resolution if Harpur makes steady progress repaying the remaining balance at €500–€1,000 monthly.