Thursday 29 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. 10732Romance fraud (making a gain or causing a loss by deception) · Co. Dublin

Man sentenced over romance fraud on woman he met online, Dublin court

James O'Connor, a 42-year-old man, met a woman who lived in Ontario, Canada, online in early 2021. In September 2021 he told her his van had broken down and that he needed to pay child support, and she wired him €2,000 on condition it be repaid within three weeks, but he did not repay it when she asked. He pleaded guilty to making a gain or causing a loss by deception between September and October 2021, and when she reported him to gardaí he said she was harassing him. As reported on 1 March 2026, Judge Crowe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for four years, with 18 months' supervision by the Probation Service and offence and victim focused work.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • James O'Connor, a 42-year-old man, carried out a romance fraud on a woman he met online.
  • The victim offered to lend O'Connor €2,000 on condition it be repaid within three weeks, and she wired the money to him.
  • O'Connor did not repay the money when the victim asked.
Where
The victim lived in Ontario, Canada, and attended the sentence hearing by video-link from Canada.
When
O'Connor met the victim in early 2021.
Cause
In September 2021 O'Connor told the victim his van had broken down and that he needed to pay child support.
Other details
  • The judge said O'Connor sent the victim emotionally manipulative texts, including threatening to take his own life.
  • The defence said O'Connor was a drug addict at the time and is now doing better.
  • O'Connor had put together €3,300 to repay the victim, which she is willing to accept, and he has 24 previous convictions, including four theft-type offences.
Investigation
When the victim reported O'Connor to gardaí, he said she was harassing him.
Charges
O'Connor pleaded guilty to making a gain or causing a loss by deception between September 2021 and October 2021.
In court
Detective Garda Laura Griskeviciute gave evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Judge Crowe sentenced O'Connor to 18 months in prison, suspended for four years.
  • O'Connor must be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months and engage in offence and victim focused work.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJames O’Connor carried out a romance fraud on a woman he met online. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIn September 2021 O’Connor told the victim his van had broken down and that he needed to pay child support. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe victim offered to lend O’Connor €2,000 on condition it be repaid within three weeks. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe victim wired the money to O’Connor. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatO’Connor did not repay the money when the victim asked. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenO’Connor met the victim, who lived in Ontario, Canada, in early 2021. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationWhen the victim reported O’Connor to gardaí, he said she was harassing him. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeO’Connor pleaded guilty to making a gain or causing a loss by deception between September 2021 and October 2021. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtDetective Garda Laura Griskeviciute gave evidence to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Crowe sentenced O’Connor to 18 months in prison, suspended for four years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceO’Connor must be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months and engage in offence and victim focused work. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said O’Connor sent the victim emotionally manipulative texts, including threatening to take his own life. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe defence said O’Connor was a drug addict at the time and is now doing better. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherO’Connor had put together €3,300 to pay the victim back, which she is willing to accept. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherO’Connor has 24 previous convictions, including four theft-type offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe victim attended the sentence hearing by video-link from Canada. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man carried out 'mean spirited and manipulative' romance fraud on woman he met online, court hears

    Sentencing report from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The offence is dated September to October 2021, and the victim was living in Canada. No matching existing case.

    convicted, James O'Connor, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)James O'Connorvictim, female