Friday 30 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. 13767Deception · Co. Laois

Court recording granted in €100,000 deception case in Laois

Catherine O'Brien (47), of Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Waterford, is accused of deception involving bank transfers totalling €100,000 at the Bank of Ireland in Portlaoise, Co Laois, made on September 2, 2018, October 25, 2018 and October 26, 2018. She appeared before Portlaoise District Court on April 4, 2025, when her solicitor, Raymond Kavanagh, had argued at an earlier appearance that there was a jurisdictional issue with the court hearing the case. The latest development, reported in May 2025, is that a request for a copy of the digital audio recording of the April 4 appearance was granted.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Catherine O'Brien (47) is a woman accused of deception involving bank transfers totalling €100,000.
Where
The transfers were made at the Bank of Ireland in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
  • An €80,000 transfer was made on September 2, 2018.
  • A €10,000 transfer was made on October 25, 2018.
  • A further €10,000 transfer was made on October 26, 2018.
Charges
O'Brien is accused of deception in relation to the three bank transfers.
In court
  • She appeared before Portlaoise District Court on April 4, 2025.
  • At an earlier appearance, her solicitor, Raymond Kavanagh, argued there was a jurisdictional issue with the court hearing the case.
  • Judge Andrew Cody said he recalled the case.
Sentence
No sentence is reported; an application for a copy of the digital audio recording of the April 4 appearance was granted.
Other details
The report was published in May 2025; the sources give publication dates of May 9 and May 11, 2025.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe transfers were made at the Bank of Ireland in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenAn €80,000 transfer was made on September 2, 2018. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenA €10,000 transfer was made on October 25, 2018. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenA further €10,000 transfer was made on October 26, 2018. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeCatherine O'Brien is accused of deception involving bank transfers totalling €100,000. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtShe appeared before Portlaoise District Court on April 4, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHer solicitor argued at the previous appearance that there was a jurisdictional issue with the court hearing the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtA legal representative applied for a copy of the digital audio recording of the appearance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody said he recalled the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 May2025
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Court application over case of woman accused of €100,000 deception in Laois

    Reports a court application: a copy of the digital audio recording of the April 4 appearance was granted, and the defence had argued a jurisdictional issue. Gives the transfer dates and amounts for the deception charge.

    accused, Catherine O'Brien, 47, female, named, irish (judged from name)Catherine O'Brien