Catherine O’Brien found guilty of deception charges

The jury returned the verdict following a trial relating to the purchase, transport, and insurance of a French mare called Lingreville

Catherine O'Brien at Waterford Circuit Court. Picture: Dan Linehan

Fraudster Catherine O’Brien is in custody after being found guilty of inducing a man she met on a dating site to invest in a horse.

The jury at Waterford Circuit Court unanimously returned a guilty verdict on all three charges just 40 minutes after being sent out to deliberate.

It was alleged that Ms O’Brien “dishonestly by deception” induced Dubliner John Blake to pay €20,000 to purchase the horse — which the State alleged was not purchased; to pay €1,100 insurance for the mare — which the State said was not paid; and €984 to transport the horse from France to Ireland — which the State argued was not transported.

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

Just before 4.30pm on Wednesday, the jury delivered their verdict while Ms O’Brien, originally from Buttevant, sat emotionless.

She was taken into custody and will appear before the court on July 22 next via video link in connection with sentencing. The case will be for mention on that date.

The trial had heard that Ms O’Brien and Mr Blake met on dating website, Plenty of Fish. Ms O’Brien had claimed she was looking for a pen pal situation.

The trial had heard that Mr Blake has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and also suffered a stroke in recent years.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly said: “I am conscious that the victim has a serious illness and that his prospects are not particularly good. Under the circumstances, I would be anxious to hear the evidence in relation to victim impact if that would be forthcoming.” 

He told defence counsel Simon Donagh that he is “agreeable to directing a probation and welfare report”. However, he said that due to pressure on the probation services “that it is not going to be forthcoming at an early date”.

In summing up the prosecution case, counsel Conor O’Doherty referenced a settlement document which was signed by Mr Blake, Ms O’Brien and Ms O’Brien’s business associate John Walsh, of Bishopstown Stud, Lismore, Co Waterford, on October 14, 2021, a month after the DPP had directed that charges be brought against Ms O’Brien. 

The document outlined that the horse purchased by Mr Blake was a brood mare called Shamalana which had been “incorrectly named in purchase negotiations with Mr Blake as Lingreville” and that he would receive €22,000, which was paid to him the following day.

Mr O’Doherty said that if the condition for Mr Blake getting €22,000 back “was to say he stole Shergar, I think he would have signed it.”