Former mortgage broker avoids returning to prison after paying remaining money owed
An unlicensed mortgage broker who took deposits from people for mortgages which never materialised has avoided returning to jail after he paid back the last of the money owed.
Jimmy Cumiskey (64), Sliabh na gCloch, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, had his case re-entered after he failed to abide by the conditions of a part suspended sentence.
At Dundalk Circuit Court on Friday, Judge Dara Hayes said that the money should never have been stolen in the first place, and that Mr Cumiskey should have complied with the court order in the timeframe given.
He had no licence to act as a mortgage intermediary since February 2012, and the offending occurred from March 2018 to March 2020.
In November 2024 he received a three-and-half year sentence, the last two years suspended, having pleaded guilty to seven counts on an amended indictment.
There were 21 charges on the original indictment, seventeen of which related to cheques given to the victims in various amounts totalling €25,260 which “bounced”.
In addition to what amounted to 18 months jail time, Judge Dara Hayes gave Mr Cumiskey a deadline to compensate four individuals in amounts more than they were owed to take account of inflation and the fact that they had not been fully reimbursed after six years.
The judge previously noted that the four victims were owed €9,840, €2,950, €22,990 and €17,800 respectively, after €10,260 had been repaid from the original total loss of €63,840.
Judge Hayes had said that before August 31, 2025, the defendant must pay further compensation of €12,500, €5,000, €29,000 and €23,500 to the respective victims, a total of €70,000.
Mr Cumiskey received temporary release from prison on December 23, 2024.
The prosecution sought to have the suspended portion of the sentence activated for alleged breaches of the conditions of the suspension.
Counsel said that €12,000 of the first amount was paid last July but there had been no further payments.
The judge remarked that this matter had “meandered its way” through the sentencing.
The case had been adjourned on several occasions as further compensation became available and for clarification of what was still owed and to facilitate the sale of Mr Cumiskey’s house.
On Friday the court heard that additional sums had been paid, and prosecuting counsel Steven Dixon BL confirmed that the victim in question was willing to accept the €5,000 that had still to be dispensed and said that being the case, Mr Cumiskey had finally complied with the terms and conditions of the suspended sentence.
Mr Dixon pointed out it had taken tremendous efforts from State Solicitor for County Louth, Fergus Mullen, the investigating garda “and this court to get to this place”.
Mr Cumiskey’s barrister said his client wanted to repeat his apology to the victims and wanted it recorded that he was someone who ultimately paid his debt.
Although Judge Hayes acknowledged there were some conveyancing issues which slowed things down, he said it should not have taken this long.
“Now the matter has been dealt with, albeit belatedly, I will make no order.”