Courts / Dublin / Report

'Psychic' fails to overturn conviction for telling man dead father wanted him to hand over €10k

Date
2024-01-26

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Debbie Paget, 56, of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin, was convicted in May 2024 for dishonestly inducing James Byrne to give her €10,000 by claiming his deceased father had instructed her to receive the money, and for a lesser charge of inducing Maria Byrne to give €200. The jury found her guilty on the first count and not guilty on the second. She was jailed for one year by Judge Pauline Codd on 10 July. In the appeal, counsel argued that the trial judge erred by not directing a not‑guilty verdict at the close of the prosecution case, citing alleged inconsistencies in witness statements. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming the jury's findings and the conviction. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcome reported in the article.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Psychic' fails to overturn conviction for telling man dead father wanted him to hand over €10k. Charges or matters: dishonestly inducing James Byrne by deception to give her €10,000. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

July 10 Hearing Or Sentence
2024-01-26 Publication

Why: Mr Monahan said Ms Byrne had been shown to have lied because she denied that the conversation had taken place while her brother confirmed that it had. CNI source report