Homeless Cork man admits role in €15,500 cheque fraud involving elderly victim
Michael O'Brien, aged 55, of Arch House, Rock Street, Cloyne, Co. Cork, was arrested on a bench warrant and appeared at Midleton District Court.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Ronan Cogavin told the court that O'Brien said he was 'guilty of handling the cheque but knew nothing about it.'
Court presenter Sergeant Linda O'Leary said that the incident happened on January 18, 2019, when an 89-year-old man was approached by another man about carrying out roof repairs to his property.
The injured party wrote a cheque for €15,500 for the repairs that were not carried out and subsequently recalled the cheque when it became apparent he was the victim of an attempted deception.
Michael O'Brien said he had been drinking in a park at the time and was approached by a third party who offered him €2,500 to lodge the cheque into his bank account.
The court heard that O'Brien has 22 previous convictions, including nine for theft. Defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said O'Brien made full admissions in 2022 and is a 'chronic alcoholic.'
He told the court that his client had spent four years in treatment at St Vincent's and had been living in Cloyne for the past eight months in homeless accommodation.
He added that O'Brien was effectively an accomplice in the attempted fraud and did not profit from it.
Judge Colm Roberts said O'Brien was an accomplice and facilitator, who tried to gain from the crime, even though he was ultimately unsuccessful.
He noted that O'Brien's circumstances had improved in recent years and requested a probation and welfare report.
O'Brien was released on bail on his own bond of €500, and the case was adjourned to November 6 for completion of the report.
This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
20 hours ago
- The Journal
Victim of alleged Dublin mugger got tetanus shot after accomplice 'dug' her fingernails into his arms
A MAN HAS been accused of punching a reveller in the back of the head before an accomplice 'dug' her fingernails into his arms, causing an infection, during a street mugging in Dublin. Robert Maguire, 35, was charged with robbery on Sycamore Street on 31 May last and refused bail by Judge Máire Conneely at Dublin District Court today. Garda Shane McConkey stated that at around 3.15am, the injured party was on his way home after socialising in the city centre. He turned onto Sycamore Street, in Dublin 2, when Maguire and a woman allegedly pursued him. The accused, who resided at a hostel on Merchant's Quay, Dublin 8, reportedly punched him in the back of the head, causing him to become disoriented. The pair then wrestled him into a doorway before another male became involved, and they threw him to the ground. The complainant dropped his iPhone 15. The second male robber picked it up as the female accomplice allegedly 'dug her nails into his forearm and attempted to pull his watch off of his wrist'. The garda who objected to bail stated that this caused the man extreme pain. 'He attempted to fight back but was overwhelmed when the third male returned and helped pin him to the ground.' It was alleged that the three suspects then rooted through his pockets. Advertisement The man shouted for help, and the trio fled when several members of the public approached. The court heard there was an unsuccessful bid to use his bank card, which had been in his phone case, in a shop at O'Connell Street. It was claimed the man suffered bruising to both his elbows, scrapes to his right forearm, and deep nail marks on his wrist and left bicep. He went to a doctor the following day and needed a tetanus shot due to the deep nail marks on his arms becoming infected. Judge Conneely was informed that the man had to take antibiotics for several days. He also missed work due to his injuries and psychological effects. CCTV footage was obtained. A decision awaits on whether the accused will be tried in the District Court or the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers. Defence counsel Sam Friel argued that his client, who has yet to plead, was entitled to the presumption of innocence and could face a lengthy period of pre-trial detention. Garda McConkey agreed that the identification evidence did not come from the complainant but was based on the belief of gardaí that the accused was the person in the CCTV footage. However, he asserted that a jacket had been seized from the accused's hostel room, which matched the video evidence. Legal aid was granted. Earlier this month, a 34-year-old woman who allegedly dug her fingernails into the man's arms was refused bail after she too was charged with robbery.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Man bought goods in Cork Lidl store with lost bank card, court hears
A Polish man who found a lost bank debit card used it to buy goods in a local supermarket without the owner's consent, the district court has heard. Sergeant Eimear O'Connell told Skibbereen District Court that Tomas Zielinski, aged 58, of Cork Simon, Mill House, Anderson's Quay, Cork, was charged with one count of handling stolen property and one count of theft relating to an incident in 2021. The court was told the injured party had lost her TSB bank card in Skibbereen, which had subsequently been found by Zielinski, who was residing in the area at the time. The court heard on October 20, 2021, Zielinski went into the Lidl supermarket in Skibbereen and used the injured party's bank card to purchase goods to the value of €33.83. Defence solicitor Margaret Collins said her client had brought €100 in compensation to court for the injured party, and had admitted the offences. Judge Joanne Carroll said it was a positive step that the injured party had been compensated and she adjourned the case to October 28 for the preparation of a probation report. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man and woman jailed after dog found dead in yard with plastic in stomach
A man and a woman have pleaded guilty to number of animal neglect charges at Navan District Court. On July 18, 2025, Kevin Horace and Kayla Rafferty with an address at 20 Oaklawns, Clogherboy Park, Navan, Co Meath pleaded guilty to six offences each under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The charges related to two emaciated dogs, one of which died, due to its neglect. The court heard evidence that ISPCA Inspector James McCormack called to the defendants' address on February 26, 2024, in response to a report received. He saw two dogs in the back garden, both of which were in poor condition and one of which was already deceased and lying by the back door. There was no food, water or shelter available, and there was a black discharge from the dead dog's rear. The Inspector spoke to Horace and Rafferty under caution, and they admitted joint ownership of the dead dog, a long-haired Terrier that had been named Bruno. Ms Rafferty claimed ownership of the other dog, a Collie pup called Sheba. They conceded that the dogs had not been checked since the previous day, although it was lunchtime when the Inspector called, and they were not aware that Bruno had died. There was dog food and a bowl of water inside the house, but the dogs did not have access to them. The two dogs were removed for veterinary assessment, and both were found to be extremely underweight with body condition scores of just one out of nine. Their bones were prominent, and the stomach of the deceased dog was found to be empty other than for sharp pieces of plastic and dark black digestive juices. Their conditions were attributed to starvation. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The court was furnished with photographs taken by Inspector McCormack and heard that there was clear evidence that the two canines had been neglected, in total disregard as to their health and welfare, and exposed to unnecessary suffering over a prolonged period of time. It was also revealed that the two accused were offered the opportunity to take part in a formal interview but refused, stating that they were "too busy". Ms. Justice Eirinn McKiernan decided that the only appropriate sentence for the offences was a custodial sentence and sentenced both defendants to imprisonment for a term of two months on one offence with all other charges taken into consideration. She refused requests from Ms Rafferty's defence solicitor to suspend her sentence, even temporarily. Judge McKiernan also made two disqualification orders banning both Mr. Horace and Ms. Rafferty from owning, having any interest in, keeping, dealing in or having charge or control, directly or indirectly, of an animal, for life. Sheba the collie cross. (Image: Irish Mirror) Reflecting on the case, Inspector McCormack commented: "It was shocking to find Bruno dead in the yard, lying against the back door. His only hope was the occupants of the house, and they never came. Instead, he died in the yard from starvation, with only plastic in his stomach. He was failed utterly - a loyal companion left in the yard like unwanted trash'. He added: 'Sheba the pup was lucky that the call was made. Although very underweight, she got out in time, recovered fully, and now lives in a loving home. Sheba got a chance that her companion did not. I would encourage anyone to report any incidents of cruelty. We are there to help, sometimes the only voice they have." The ISPCA urges the public to continue reporting any suspicions of animal cruelty or neglect to its National Animal Cruelty Helpline by calling 0818 515 515, email helpline@ or report online here: If you can, please support the ISPCA by making a life-saving donation today to help rescue more animals from appalling situations just like this one: Get all the big crime and court stories direct to your phone on our new WhatsApp service. Sign up here.
