Sentence adjourned again for woman who conned priests

A BUNCLODY woman who fraudulently obtained money from four members of the clergy has had sentence further adjourned.

Before Wexford Circuit Criminal Court 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.

Judge Martina Baxter had adjourned the case to allow the defendant to open a savings account for the payment of €50 per week towards compensation to the injured parties.

When the matter was again called before the court on Wednesday last, Defence Counsel Dylan Redmond said the defendant is unable to open a bank account, but that her solicitor, Peter Creane, is willing to accept the money, and make payment through a client cheque to State Solicitor Kevin O’Doherty.

Judge Baxter said she would further adjourn the matter to November 16, at which stage she would once again enter it for the last day of the sessions, when she would adjourn it to January 30 next, only if the defendant continues to pay the €50 weekly.

‘At that stage I will indicate sentence,’ said Judge Baxter.

the court had been told the total amount conned from Fr. Noel Hartley in June 2015 came to more than €3000. Fr Hartley was persuaded to part with seven sums ranging from €100 to €2000 by Ms O’Leary, using ‘fabricated stories of financial difficulties’. She often accompanied Fr. Hartley to the ATM so he could withdraw the money.

In the case of Fr. Diarmuid Desmond 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, 2015, at 39 Beechlawn, Clonard, Wexford town.

She also induced Fr. John O’Reilly of Piercestown, to hand over €200.