A Revenue official who stole nearly €20,000 from the State over the course of a year by pocketing motoring fines has been given a suspended sentence.

John, also known as Anthony Kelly of Barons Hall Apartments, Balbriggan, Co Dublin - was an executive officer with the Revenue, responsible for collecting fines from motorists who hadn't paid Vehicle Registration Tax.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard motorists caught by gardaí without VRT had their cars seized and would have to meet with Mr Kelly to pay a fine and get their car back.

Mr Kelly would then keep the fine himself.

Counsel said Kelly had "over-extended himself" financially during the Celtic Tiger era and needed the money to repay loans - and also to fund medical procedures to help himself and his wife conceive a child.

He was fired from his position at the Revenue Commissioners after the theft came to light.

Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced Kelly to six years in prison but suspended it in full for four years, noting that he was unlikely to be of trouble again.