Woman who conned four Wexford priests has sentencing adjourned
A BUNCLODY woman who fraudulently obtained money from four members of the clergy has had sentence adjourned until Wednesday to allow time for the opening of a savings account to reimburse the injured parties.
Before Wexford Circuit Criminal Court last week was Rebecca O’Leary, of 52 Castlerock, Carrickduff, Bunclody, on 11 separate charges to which a guilty plea had been entered at an earlier sitting of the court.
The total amount conned from Fr Noel Hartley in June 2015 came to more than €3,000, according to the charge sheet.
Fr Hartley was persuaded to part with seven sums ranging from €100 to €2,000 by Ms O’Leary’s ‘fabricated stories of financial difficulties’. She often accompanied Fr Hartley to an ATM so he could withdraw the money.
In the case of Fr Diarmuid Desmond, on September 6, 2015, at St. Patrick’s Church, Rosslare Harbour, the defendant purported to be a social worker and persuaded the priest to hand over €200 in cash.
In the case of Monsignor Denis Lennon, the priest was conned into handing over €300 as the defendant purported to be a social worker on dates unknown between May 23, 2015, and June 3, 1015, at 39 Beechlawn, Clonard, Wexford town.
She also induced Fr John O’Reilly of Pierestown, to hand over €200.
Garda Burke said that while the investigation was ongoing, an incident occurred in Portlaoise, where the defendant was apprehended by local gardai, following which gardai in Wexford contacted Ms O’Leary. She volunteered information that she was involved in these incidents and co-operated fully with the investigation. She was arrested and detained when she made full admissions of receiving money from the priests in question.
‘I am not aware of any monies having been repaid,’ said Garda Burke.
Defence Counsel, Dylan Redmond, said the defendant is the mother of three young children living with her partner, while she is not someone who is in a good financial position. The best the defendant could offer by way of compensation is €50 per week, said Mr. Redmond, adding that she is in receipt of €420 per week social welfare for herself, partner and children.
Judge Martina Baxter said she would be willing to adjourn the matter to Wednesday November 1 when she wanted to see €50 in a savings account. ‘I want to see this on Wednesday morning. The matter would be finalised then,’ said Judge Baxter.