A HEARTLESS crook who stole cash donated by people in the memory of dead relatives to a church restoration fund has switched religions.
Brazen thief Lyndsey Bredin, 27, stole money given to her for a new roof for Muff Church of Ireland.
She also stole from the church’s congregation in Derry.
In Donegal Bredin asked people to write notes in memory of dead relatives and buy slates for the historic Muff church.
Instead of giving the money to the fund, she destroyed the notes and pocketed the cash – stealing Stg£60,000 in all.
Earlier this week a judge in Derry gave her suspended prison sentences after she admitted 19 counts of theft.
The thief from Primity Crescent in Newbuildings in Derry has now left the Church of Ireland and joined Newbuildings Methodist Church.
Last night those who knew her in Donegal said they were “glad to see the back of her.”
One woman who donated money to the Muff restoration fund told Donegal Daily: “I know it is the Christian thing to do, to forgive, but I haven’t seen any remorse.
“The Methodists are welcome to her. Just don’t let her count the Sunday collection unsupervised. That would be my advice.”
Bredin spent the money she stole on a new car, holidays abroad, nights out at restaurants and paying for bills.
She was rumbled when new Minister Rev Robert Millar arrived to cover the Culmore and Muff congregations in 2011 and found her failure to provide financial records odd.