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. 2294Dishonest appropriation (fraud) · Co. Cork · 14 Mar 2022

James O'Driscoll pleads guilty to €21,600 fraud against 82-year-old farmer in Drimoleague, Co Cork

James O'Driscoll, 59, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to dishonestly appropriating €21,600 from an 82-year-old bachelor farmer in Drimoleague, Co Cork, after a cheque written for €2,400 was misread as €24,000. Judge Sinead Behan adjourned sentencing to November 2025 to explore community service options and ordered O'Driscoll to pay compensation to Permanent TSB at €50 per week.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted18 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatO'Driscoll pleaded guilty to dishonestly appropriating €21,600 belonging to the farmer. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe farmer wrote a cheque for €2,400 but the figure box incorrectly showed €24,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe farmer discovered the issue when cheques came back unpaid due to insufficient funds. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatO'Driscoll admitted the money was in his account but claimed he did not know where it came from. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGarda Jonathan McCarthy of Schull Garda station gave evidence in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe offence was contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Sinead Behan. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Behan adjourned the case to 13 November to see if suitable community service work was available. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceO'Driscoll was ordered to pay compensation to Permanent TSB at a rate of €50 per week. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPermanent TSB reimbursed the farmer for the €21,600. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherO'Driscoll is from a large family of settled Travellers and began abusing alcohol at age 13. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Feb2025
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Old people deserve protection says judge after hearing how elderly farmer was defrauded

    Guilty plea and sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court; case adjourned to 13 November 2025 for sentencing after judge explored community service options.

    convicted, 59, male, irish (judged from name)victim, 82, male