The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killarney man conned pensioner (74) out of her funeral savings
JUDGE HANDS BALLYSPILLANE MAN THREE YEARS’ JAIL FOR ‘DESPICABLE ACT’
A KILLARNEY man, who scammed an elderly woman out of €10,000, has been jailed for three years for what a judge labelled “a despicable and mean-spirited offence”.
Father-of-five Denis O’Brien (29), Hazelwood Drive, Ballyspillane, was handed the sentence at Cork Circuit Court by Judge Sean Ó Donnabhain. The court was told that a portion of the €10,000 had been saved up by the 74-year-old victim over a period of years to pay her funeral expenses.
Mr O’Brien, who pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, has a total of 59 previous convictions, including theft by deception convictions involving four elderly people, the oldest being 86-years-of age.
Det Garda John Gleeson told the court that on September 26, 2019, the defendant went to the house of the 74-year-old woman in Cork city and told her that he was a nephew of her neighbour. He claimed that this neighbour had had work carried out on her home but now couldn’t afford to pay it.
The victim – wanting to help her neighbour – made out a cheque to the value of €4,900. Mr O’Brien also stole a blank cheque and €600 in cash.
Mr O’Brien later returned to the woman and said he needed more money for the alleged works which were carried out on her neighbour’s home. She went to the credit union and withdrew a further €4,500.
At an earlier hearing of the case O’Brien said he was the main carer for his mother, who suffers from chronic lung disease and emphysema.
His five children range in age from six years to six months.
Det Garda Gleeson said that Mr O’Brien was arrested after CCTV security camera footage connected him to the crime.
He said O’Brien was without visible means of support.
Defence counsel Paula McCarthy BL said that genuine efforts were being made by her client to raise compensation in the case.
However, Judge O’Donnabhain expressed concern about the providence of any such compensation.
“This lady deserves to get her money back and if there was a lawful source it would keep everyone happy,” he said.
Judge O’Donnabhain decided to finalise sentencing when Garda Gleeson told him that he would be concerned about the providence of any compensation furnished by O’Brien.
The elderly woman has not received any of the money back - and now faces being at the loss of the entire €10,000 involved.
In evidence it was outlined that the woman had saved the money over several years as she did not want her funeral to impose any financial burden on her loved ones.
The judge described the crime as despicable adding that he had preyed on the “innocence and vulnerability” of the woman. He jailed O’Brien for five years suspending the last two years of the sentence.