'Shame on you': Judge condemns fraudster as 82-year-old farmer scammed out of €24,000

Accused had asked farmer, 82, for help with his son's Confirmation and went on to empty his bank account, court heard

The elderly farmer discovered what had happened when a number of cheques came back from his own bank stating there were insufficient funds in his account, court heard. Picture: Dan Linehan

An 82-year-old bachelor farmer was befriended by a younger man who grazed ponies on his land and went on to spend €24,000 of the man’s savings. 

The sentencing judge said to the culprit: “Shame on you.” Judge Sinead Behan said: “It is a very serious case. This man abused a position of trust of an 82-year-old bachelor farmer who possibly lacked support otherwise.