Former HSE employee on theft charges

A former HSE employee has been charged with the theft and attempted theft of over €170,000 from the HSE and some of its suppliers…

A former HSE employee has been charged with the theft and attempted theft of over €170,000 from the HSE and some of its suppliers.

David Cooper (52) was brought before Cork District Court yesterday, where he faced 12 charges relating to his time as an employee at St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Cork.

Mr Cooper – who has since resigned from the HSE and is on disability allowance – was charged with six counts of theft from the HSE of sums totalling €55,450 between June 6th and June 27th, 2012.

Mr Cooper, Southern Road, Cork, was also charged with four counts of attempted theft from the HSE of sums totalling €107,314 between June 29th and July 6th last year.

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He was also charged with the theft of €5,811 from HSE suppliers Pat Hennerty Sales and €1,804 from Forrest Print.

Det Garda Aidan Forrest said Mr Cooper made no reply to any of the charges. He said gardaí had no objection to bail once Mr Cooper undertook to have no contact with HSE administration staff.

Judge Con O’Leary remanded Mr Cooper on his own bond of €5,000 to appear again on February 5th.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times