Mallow based mortgage fraudster told to up compensation to avoid jail
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.
The judge also wondered about a letter of employment from a Wild Atlantic Way company.
“This lad is going to have to pay back €90,000,” the judge said. “He is not taking it seriously. If he wants to go to the Wild Atlantic Way on his holidays that’s grand but he cannot come to court with this attitude.
“He is at risk unless he can prove to me his attitude is changing.”
Brendan Kelly, defending, said the accused had gathered €1,500 previously, bringing the total to €3,100, and would raise more.
Judge Ó Donnabháin put sentencing back again until November 27.
Six people got suspended jail sentences earlier this year for lesser parts in the scams but the main organiser fled and the judge described the court case without him as Hamlet without the prince.
Sergeant Mary Skehan said that gardaí were still seeking the main organiser who has already pleaded guilty to charges against him but who skipped bail when the time came for sentencing.
O’Connor was described by Sgt Skehan as “second in line of the people who benefitted most from this. Others got smaller amounts.”
O’Connor caused a loss to the bank in the amount of €90,000 in respect of mortgages received by deception for houses at Parkview and another at Saddler’s Lane in Buttevant.
He made a benefit of this amount which he used to clear other bank debts.
