Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman scammed pensioner friend out of €30k in Lanzarote pub deception
Summary
A woman who scammed her pensioner friend out of €30,000 over a five-year period by falsely claiming to be investing in a Lanzarote pub was sentenced to make restitution. Geraldine McGrath, who pleaded guilty to three counts of deception, had misled her friend into making regular cash payments. The victim, now in her early 80s, has no real savings and has been unable to afford a headstone for her son's grave. McGrath, who has no previous convictions, was ordered to repay the money and had already put aside €3,000 in court. The court heard that McGrath had health issues and was on disability allowance, making it difficult for her to repay the full amount. Judge Jonathan Dunphy said the court would give her more time to make repayments and ordered that €3,000 be handed over immediately with a further €1,000 by Friday. McGrath was also remanded on continuing bail until March 23. The court heard that the victim had been deceived for years and that McGrath had written a letter of apology to the injured party.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman scammed pensioner friend out of €30k in Lanzarote pub deception. Charges or matters: three counts of deception. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 23 Adjournment
- 2025-12-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of deception (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Dunphy said a custodial sentence is still possible and told Mr Clarke to "advise your client to get her affairs in order" before the next date.; Mr Clarke suggested the case be adjourned to March for an update.
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