A court has heard how the former head of a Dublin based charity stole money from the organisation to pay for things like groceries and fuel.
Declan Behan from Slane in Co. Meath admits stealing thousands of euro from the Irish Association of Suicidology (IAS) between 2010 and late 2012.
The IAS was set up in 1996 to act as a platform for all those working in the area of suicide prevention to share their knowledge and experience.
As Chief Executive of the organisation, Mr. Behan had access to its account and began withdrawing from it for his own benefit in early 2010.
Over the course of the next two years, he made at least 30 withdrawals amounting to around €7,000 from various ATMs across Dublin and further afield.
The court heard he was on an annual salary of €70,000 but accepted that he was not using the stolen money to fund an 'extravagant lifestyle'.
His lawyer said it was used to pay for things like groceries and petrol, and has since been paid back in full.
In a letter presented to the court, Mr. Behan outlined how sorry he was and said he feels ashamed of himself for what he has done.
The separated father-of-three who now works in maintenance is due to be sentenced next month.
