Cork woman Catherine O'Brien denies deception charges over €20k purchase of French horse

The trial is to begin on Wednesday and may run into next week

Catherine O'Brien (pictured) is accused of deception charges related to a John Blake and the purchase, transport and insurance of a French mare called Lingreville. File picture: Howard Crowdy

Fraud accused Catherine O’Brien has pleaded not guilty to three charges of deception regarding the purchase, transport and insurance of a French horse.

She is accused of deception charges related to a John Blake and the purchase, transport and insurance of a French mare called Lingreville.

It is alleged that she “dishonestly by deception” induced Mr Blake to pay €20,000 to purchase the horse – which was not purchased; to pay €1,100 insurance for the mare – which was not paid; and €984 to transport the horse from France to Ireland - which was not transported as alleged.

Ms O’Brien, of An Grianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of making gain or causing loss by deception contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

She is charged that on dates between March 25, 2018, and April 5, 2018, both dates inclusive within the State, Ms O’Brien dishonestly and by deception induced John Blake to transfer €20,000 for the alleged purchase of a French mare called Lingreville.

But the mare was not purchased with the intention of making gain for herself or causing loss for another, it is alleged.

She is also charged that on dates between March 25, 2018, and April 5, 2018, that she dishonestly and by deception induced Mr Blake to transfer €984 for the alleged transport of French mare Lingreville to Ireland, which mare was not transported as alleged.

She is also charged that between March 25, 2019, and March 31, 2019, she dishonestly and by deception induced John Blake to transfer €1,100 for the alleged insurance of a French mare Lingreville which was not insured as alleged.

A jury of seven women and five men were empanelled on Tuesday at Waterford Circuit Court. The trial, in front of his Honour Judge Eugene O'Kelly, is to begin on Wednesday and may run into next week.

Ms O’Brien, aged 47, formerly living in Buttevant, Co Cork, sat in court, watching intently as the jury was empanelled.

She wore a pale pink scarf, a grey jacket and navy trousers. Her long, grey hair was tied back in a ponytail at the nape of her neck and she wore glasses.

Ms O’Brien is represented by defence barrister Simon Donagh, BL, instructed by solicitor Ray Kavanagh. Barrister for the State is Conor O’Doherty, BL.