Cork woman 'medically unfit to attend' her sentencing for deceiving man she met on dating site

Judge O’Kelly said this was not the first time that Catherine O’Brien’s 'medical condition has caused difficulties with this trial'

The court heard that Catherine O’Brien was in Cahercalla centre 'for rehabilitation'. File picture: Dan Linehan

The sentencing of Catherine O’Brien for deceiving a man she met on a dating website has been adjourned until the new year after the court was told she is in hospital.

The Buttevant woman, who has an address at An Grianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, was due to be sentenced by Judge Eugene O’Kelly at Waterford Circuit Court on Wednesday after being found guilty on three counts of deception on July 16.

However, a medical note was handed into the court, outlining that O’Brien, aged 48, was in hospital in Ennis, Co Clare.

O’Brien, 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.

It was alleged that she “dishonestly by deception” induced Dubliner John Blake to pay €20,000 to purchase a French mare called Lingreville — 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 said was not transported.

When her case was called on Wednesday morning, she was due to appear via video link from prison. However, Judge O’Kelly was told by a member of prison staff that she is in hospital.

Barrister Tom Giles Kelly told the court that she was in Cahercalla centre “for rehabilitation”. He added that O’Brien was seeking a sentence date in December.

Judge O’Kelly said a medical certificate had been provided by a doctor at Limerick Prison, indicating that  O’Brien “has been transferred from rehabilitation to Ennis General Hospital". The court heard she has been receiving medical attention since October 10.

“Hence, therefore, Ms O’Brien will be medically unfit to attend the court proceedings on November 5, 2025,” the certificate continued.

Judge O’Kelly said this was not the first time that O’Brien’s “medical condition has caused difficulties with this trial".

Referring to Mr Blake, Judge O’Kelly said: 

I am concerned the victim of the fraud for which she has been convicted is not only an elderly man but he is a man with significant health problems. 

He ordered that O’Brien appear by video link on January 14 for mention.

The trial had heard that Mr Blake has been diagnosed with stage four cancer and also suffered a stroke in recent years. It was also revealed that he had met O’Brien on Plenty of Fish dating website.

O’Brien had claimed she was looking for a pen pal situation at the time. The trial was told by prosecuting counsel Conor O’Doherty that Mr Blake had been drawn into a “well of deceit” by O’Brien.