A person has escaped a conviction after duping a Convoy man into forking out €180 for a PlayStation 4 that didn’t exist.
Owen Cosgrove appeared through video hyperlink charged with an incident of theft in Might 2020 at Manor Court docket, Convoy.
Cosgrove, who’s now based mostly in Australia, pleaded responsible after being placed on his election by Decide Éiteáin Cunningham.
A 22-year-old, with an tackle at Drishane, Killeagh, Cork, Cosgrove spoke to tender a responsible plea.
Sergeant Gerard Dalton instructed the court docket that John Doherty had reported to Gardai that he was the sufferer of a web based buying fraud. Mr Doherty has noticed an advert on DoneDeal for a PlayStation 4, which was on the market at €170.
Mr Doherty paid €180, together with €10 for postage, through PayPal, however he by no means acquired the PlayStation 4. Gardai started to conduct enquiries and recognized Cosgrove because the individual behind the account within the identify of ‘Brian Kelly’ who had marketed the video games console on the market.
Gardai spoke to Cosgrove, who made full admissions. The court docket heard that he has no earlier convictions and the €180 has been paid again to Mr Doherty.
Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Cosgrove, mentioned his shopper’s temper was low on the time and he was ‘in need of sources’.
“He has no sample for this,” Mr Dorrian mentioned. “He works laborious and is making an attempt to make a future for himself. This was an aberration and never one thing he has ever executed earlier than. It was clumsy.”
Mr Dorrian instructed the court docket that Cosgrove has accomplished an apprenticeship in steel fabrication and relies in Australia, the place he works six days per week.
Decide Cunningham mentioned the court docket deemed there to be a ‘critical matter’ that concerned ‘an enormous factor of deception’.
“Persons are on-line making an attempt to buy merchandise legitimately,” Decide Cunningham mentioned.
Whereas noting that Cosgrove had pleaded responsible, had no earlier convictions and had paid the cash again, Decide Cunningham mentioned she needed to additionally be aware the seriousness of the scenario.
Cosgrove was instructed that if he made a €400 contribution to St Vincent de Paul he would keep away from a conviction. The matter was adjourned till October 23.
PlayStation conman ordered to pay €400 donation to charity was final modified: October 2nd, 2023 by
