Mallow based mortgage fraudster told to up compensation to avoid jail

An elaborate mortgages fraud where Bank of Ireland was scammed saw one of the organisers appear for sentencing yesterday, but the judge said he would have to come up with more compensation if he wanted to avoid the inevitable.

Patrick O’Connor, aged 43, of 47 Annabella Park, Mallow, Co Cork, brought €1,600 compensation to court yesterday in a case where he caused a €90,000 loss on a mortgages fraud.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin noted that the accused was a stone mason — a job he described as a very valuable trade and one where he could make a lot of money.