Sophie Perniskie stole more than €37,000 from Irish bar owners, court hears

Sophie Perniskie caused the owners of a popular Irish bar in New Zealand “incredible stress” after taking more than NZ$75,000, equivalent to about €37,000, according to the report. The money was used to fund her gambling, including a poker habit, and to cover personal spending. The former manager also used some of the stolen cash to buy a car and groceries, the article says. Her position gave her access to the business’s money, which she took from the people who owned the bar. The report describes the loss as a serious blow to the owners, who were left dealing with the financial consequences and the strain of discovering what had happened. It says the theft was linked to Perniskie’s gambling, while the spending also included everyday purchases and the vehicle. The article does not provide further detail about how the money was taken or what sentence, if any, was imposed. It presents the case as a betrayal of trust by a manager whose role placed her close to the bar’s finances, with the owners left facing both a substantial loss and considerable stress.