A bankrupt ex-Fianna Fáil councillor has admitted stealing from a court-appointed official assignee.
Gerard Killally (41), Shaen, Edenderry, Offaly who is a former Fianna Fáil Chairman of Offaly County Council and general election candidate, admitting taking shop equipment from a premises he used to own at Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath between October 2010 and February 2011.
The offences happened after he was declared bankrupt and the shop and its contents were under the control of the court's official assignee Christopher Lehane.
Before Judge Anthony Hunt at Mullingar Circuit Court, Mr Killally pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and one of forging a letter.
He will be sentenced in November, when a medical report, character references and a compensation proposal will be presented to the court.
He was remanded on bail and his passport has been returned to him to allow him take a two week family holiday at the end of the month, but it must be returned to gardaí when he returns.
Legal Aid was granted to Mr Killally.