Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 4273Fraud (romance fraud), proceeds of crime · Co. Cork · 1 Jul 2015

CAB seeks declaration that Youghal house was bought with romance fraud proceeds

The Criminal Assets Bureau told the High Court that Thomas Humphreys' house in Youghal, Co. Cork, was purchased in July 2015 for €25,000 using proceeds of an alleged romance fraud in which Patrick O'Brien defrauded vulnerable Pauline Fitzpatrick of over €260,000 between 2012 and 2015. Mr Justice Liam Kennedy adjourned the case generally after hearing submissions from both sides.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Dec
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPatrick O'Brien allegedly defrauded Pauline Fitzpatrick of more than €260,000 between 2012 and 2015. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFitzpatrick later died from a heart attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHumphreys rents out the property at a monthly rent of €550. (irishtimes.com, corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHumphreys was convicted in absentia in Australia of a fraud worth more than AUD$100,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHumphreys received an insurance payout of about €16,000 in 2014, of which about €5,000 went towards the house purchase. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPauline Fitzpatrick later died from a heart attack. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHumphreys has rented out the property at a monthly rent of €550. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatIn 2018 Humphreys travelled to Australia where he was involved in fraud-related crime involving bogus works at individuals' properties. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHumphreys was convicted in absentia of a fraud worth over AUD$100,000 in Australia. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGardaí allege Humphreys is associated with people working in the drug trade in Co Kerry and Co Cork. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHumphreys has convictions including one for robbery and a range of road traffic offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHumphreys received an insurance payout worth about €16,000 in 2014, of which about €5,000 was put towards the house purchase. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatPatrick O'Brien allegedly defrauded Pauline Fitzpatrick of over €260,000 between 2012 and 2015. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatO'Brien sold Fitzpatrick's VW Beetle without her permission. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatIn his absence, Humphreys was convicted of a fraud worth over AUD$100,000 in Australia. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHumphreys has other convictions including one for robbery and a range of road traffic offences. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHumphreys received an insurance payout of about €16,000 in 2014. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe bureau's case is that at best about €5,000 of the insurance payout was put towards the house purchase. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereHumphreys was previously at Curraigue, Mallow, Co Cork, but is now believed to be living in the UK. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe property was purchased in July 2015 for €25,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe CAB is seeking an order under section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard by Mr Justice Liam Kennedy and adjourned generally. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Liam Kennedy adjourned the case generally. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherHumphreys is a British citizen who had resided in Ireland for many years. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • otherGardaí allege Humphreys is associated with people in the drug trade in Co. Kerry and Co. Cork, but he has no drug-related convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHumphreys has a conviction for robbery and a range of road traffic offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHumphreys does not have a history of gainful employment. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • otherVictims are waiting almost two years to receive justice in crown court. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Dec2025
    In courtcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Romance frausters accused of taking funds from vulnerable woman to buy Cork home

    First report of the CAB's High Court application under section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 to declare Humphreys' Youghal property purchased with fraud proceeds; case adjourned generally.

    accused, Thomas Humphreys, 37, male, British, named, non-irishThomas Humphreysaccused, 44, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Pauline Fitzpatrick, female, irish (judged from name)Pauline Fitzpatrick
  2. 19 Dec2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Money from alleged 'sinister' romance fraud used to buy Cork property

    High Court hearing where the CAB sought a declaration under section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996; case adjourned generally.

    accused, Thomas Humphreys, 37, male, British, named, non-irishThomas Humphreysaccused, 44, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Pauline Fitzpatrick, female, irish (judged from name)Pauline Fitzpatrick
  3. 17 Dec2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Proceeds of alleged romance fraud used to purchase Cork property, court hears

    First report of the CAB's Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 application seeking a declaration that Humphreys's Youghal property was purchased with proceeds of a romance fraud committed by his brother-in-law Patrick O'Brien.

    accused, Thomas Humphreys, 37, male, British, named, non-irishThomas Humphreyssuspect, 44, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Pauline Fitzpatrick, female, irish (judged from name)Pauline Fitzpatrick