The former financial controller of a Dublin credit union has been jailed for three years for stealing almost €1.7m from the branch.

Paul O'Brien of Valley Park Road, Finglas in Dublin admitted stealing the money to feed his gambling addiction.

O'Brien used to work as a financial controller - but has been out of work since he was caught stealing from the branch.

Over a seven year period beginning in February 2005, he stole almost €1.7m by taking out bogus loans and stealing cheques.

He used the money to fund a "severe gambling problem", and he also used it to pay his mortgage or credit card bills on a few occasions.

An investigation was launched following an audit in May 2012 - and the married father of three was eventually taken in for questioning.

Judge Nolan noted the large presence of family and friends in court today, and described O'Brien as a "good man who went completely astray".

However, he said he had to mark the seriousness of what he did with a custodial sentence and jailed him for three years.