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. 4029Fraud (romance fraud), proceeds of crime · Co. Cork

High Court rules Youghal house bought with proceeds of romance fraud

The High Court ruled that Thomas Humphreys used proceeds of a romance fraud perpetrated by his brother-in-law Patrick O'Brien on Pauline Fitzpatrick to purchase a house in Youghal, Co Cork, for €26,620 in July 2015. The Criminal Assets Bureau's application under the Proceeds of Crime Act was granted by Mr Justice Liam Kennedy.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe property is on Strand Street, Youghal (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe house was purchased in July 2015 for €26,620 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Liam Kennedy ruled in favour of the Criminal Assets Bureau under section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Criminal Assets Bureau sought the order in a civil law case (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHumphreys left the country before he could be tried in Australia (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHumphreys is 37 and previously lived at Curraigue, Mallow, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHumphreys is now believed to be living in the United Kingdom (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHumphreys left Australia before he could be tried over the romance fraud (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge found at least €5,000 of the purchase money was legitimately sourced from a personal injury settlement (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHumphreys and his extended family have been involved in organised crime in Ireland and Australia (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jan2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Cork property was bought using proceeds of ‘sinister’ romance fraud, court rules

    Reports the High Court's ruling in the CAB's civil proceedings declaring the Youghal property purchased with proceeds of crime, including details of the underlying romance fraud and the defendants' criminal histories in Ireland and Australia.

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