Building contractor conned elderly man out of €17,500

An 85-year-old man was conned into handing over €17,500 to a Killarney building contractor and yesterday the builder pleaded guilty to a theft charge arising out of the offence.

The case against Patrick O’Brien, of 122 Ballyspillane, Killarney, Co Kerry, was listed for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.

Ciarán O’Loughlin, defending, asked to have O’Brien arraigned before any jury was sworn in and O’Brien pleaded guilty inducing the victim to pay him €17,500.