IT knowledge used to steal thousands

A computer-savvy young man used his knowledge to steal thousands of euro worth of property by buying it online with forged credit card details.

Cormac Haydon, aged 22, with an address at a flat at 27 St Patrick’s Hill, Cork, now living in Carlow, yesterday at Cork District Court confessed to 12 separate charges carried out between April 2011 and February 2012.

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said the accused was a courteous and mannerly young man with a most unusual psychological profile. “If he applied his knowledge of computers in a proper way, he would be a tremendous asset to anyone.”

Detective Garda James Bugler said in one of the transactions, he ordered over €2,000 worth of music equipment online from a company in Limerick by putting in various credit card details. The property was later delivered to a false name and the defendant signed for receipt of the property in that false name.

This modus operandi was used several times.

On February 28, 2012, there was a delivery of goods to his house at Stratton Pines, Bishopstown, and again he signed in the false name. Gardaí were present to witness the crime.

Investigators found 30 credit card names and details in Haydon’s two laptops, both of which were seized

Det Garda Bugler said €5,574 worth of property was stolen by Haydon, some of which was recovered, leaving an amount outstanding of over €3,500.

Judge Leo Malone said this money would have to be repaid to those defrauded. The judge said the compensation would have to be in court before sentencing on November 26.