Conman claimed McManus would fund angel firm

A gambling addict conned over €27,000 from a couple by convincing them racehorse owner JP McManus would finance their angel sanctuary business.

Andrew Duff told the couple he was a businessman with “serious connections” to Mr McManus, Denis O’Brien, and the directors of Setanta.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Lorraine Coffey and Eugene O’Connor wanted help in expanding their business from a shop in France, where they live now. The company, Lorries Angels, sells spiritual items around the idea of angels.