A former school secretary has avoided being sent to jail despite defrauding a school of thousands of euros. 

Kathleen Wickham, who worked at the CBS Primary School in New Ross, stole more than 55,000 euros from the school and has pleaded guilty to over 40 separate offences, the Irish Independent reports. 

As a result of her plea, Judge Hickson - who described Ms Wickham as "very lucky" - has affirmed the 43-year-old's previous sentence of two-years in jail suspended for five years provided the defendant enters a bond of 500 euros for the next five years. 

The former secretary has already paid back 14,400 euros since 2008 and told the court a further 35,000 euros is ready to be returned. 

It was also revealed the school would be willing to write off the remaining 6,000 euros owed by the defendant.

Ms Wickham's offences were committed between March 2003 and February 2006.

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