Courts / Limerick / Report

Thief who preyed on elderly victims is jailed for forcing man to pay over €14k for work worth €1k

Summary

Patrick O'Brien, 32, of Abbeyfeale, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment after he defrauded 81‑year‑old Sinclair Downey of €14,200 in 2013. O'Brien had a history of 29 convictions, 12 for theft, many involving elderly victims. He and an accomplice visited Downey three times, claiming to repair a roof. They first quoted €80, then raised the price to €1,700, and later demanded €4,800 for a flat roof that had not been agreed upon. Downey, fearing tax penalties, paid the amounts and signed no contract. O'Brien was caught on CCTV cashing the money at a bank. Garda investigations revealed the work cost far less than claimed. O'Brien pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; Judge Martin Nolan described the men as "preying" on Downey and imposed the sentence. The case is pending a similar offence in Tralee Circuit Criminal Court later this year.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Thief who preyed on elderly victims is jailed for forcing man to pay over €14k for work worth €1k. Charges or matters: stealing €14,200 from Sinclair Downey in September 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-07-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report