Cork woman Catherine O'Brien charged with deception of €100k over purchase of farm in France

It is alleged the money related to the purchase of a farm in France, which was not purchased, and most of money appears to have been used for day-to-day living expenses.

Cork woman Catherine O’Brien has been charged with deceiving a person out of €100,000 for the purchase of a farm in France.

The Buttevant native was before Portlaoise District Court on Thursday morning on three charges of deception contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Act 2001 at an address in New Inn, Emo, Co Laois, between September 21, 2018, and October 26, 2018.

Two of the charges relate to sums of €10,000, while the third charge relates to a sum of €80,000. It is alleged the sums related to the purchase of a farm in France, which was not purchased, and most of money appears to have been used for day-to-day living expenses.

Ms O'Brien, who has an address at 28 An Ghrianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, was represented by solicitor Ray Kavanagh who said there was "a jurisdiction issue" in the case. 

He said his client had been arrested in Waterford on March 11 and released on station bail to appear before Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. He believed his client should have been bailed to appear before the next court sitting after March 11 in Waterford District Court.

After adjourning the case until Thursday afternoon, Judge Andrew Cody ruled his court had jurisdiction in the case.

The court was told the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the case.

Sergeant JJ Kirby sought five weeks for preparation of the book of evidence.

This was granted by Judge Cody, who adjourned the case to May 15. He remanded her on her own bond.

Ms O’Brien did not speak during the hearing. She wore dark trousers, a grey blazer, a pink top and a scarf.