A former cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council has pleaded guilty to theft of money from a mental health charity.
Seán McKiernan, aged 43 with an address at Trinity Bungalow, Virginia Road, Bailieborough, Co Cavan is charged with 58 counts of theft at various unknown locations within the State.
The total amount involved in the theft from the County Meath charity was just over €172,000 which was revealed at a previous court date.
The charges relate to thefts in amounts ranging from €500 to €7,500 from Navan Mental Health Housing Association on dates in 2019.
Mr McKiernan appeared before Judge John Martin at Trim Circuit Court today, where the former Fine Gael councillor pleaded guilty to two sample charges, count 1 and count 58.
Count 1 involves the theft of €5,230 on the 26th of March 2019 at an unknown location while count 58 involves the theft of €800 from the Meath based charity on the 6th of April 2020.
Sean McKiernan was a councillor for the Bailieborough electoral area from 2007 to 2014, he made history in 2011 when at age 29 he was elected as the youngest ever Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council.
Mr McKiernan was also a member of Cavan Monaghan Education Training Board and he also served a term as its cathaoirleach. He also was a member of the national executive of Fine Gael for over a decade.
He was actively involved in hosting the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Cavan Town in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and in developing the West Cavan Burren Geopark as well as the Taste of Cavan Festival.
Free legal aid was previously granted to the former councillor in the form of a solicitor and two barristers.
Judge John Martin remanded Mr McKiernan on continuing bail to appear before Trim Circuit Court on October 21st 2025 for a sentencing date to be set.
