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Catherine The Fake

From florist to fraudster, leaving a trail of destruction from North Cork, to Waterford, to Clare, to Wexford and through the midlands ... learn how mistress of re-invention, Catherine O'Brien, scammed her way around rural Ireland.

<p>Catherine O’Brien was found guilty last Wednesday of deception charges by a jury at Waterford Circuit Court. File picture: Dan Linehan</p>

court and crime

Court orders probation and welfare report ahead of Catherine O’Brien sentencing

The court heard that the injured party, who has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, will not be able to deliver his victim impact statement in person ahead of sentencing

<p>It was alleged that Catherine O’Brien (pictured) 'dishonestly by deception' induced the man, John Blake, to pay €20,000 to purchase a horse called Lingreville — which the State alleged was not purchased; to pay €1,100 insurance for the mare — which the State said was not paid; and €984 to transport the horse from France to Ireland — which the State said was not transported. Picture: Dan Linehan</p>

spotlight

From Dubai deals to a Limerick cell: How the law caught up with Catherine O'Brien

<p> Catherine O'Brien at Waterford Circuit Court. Picture: Dan Linehan</p>

court and crime

Catherine O’Brien found guilty of deception charges

Catherine O'Brien tells court she is ‘not guilty of anything’

court and crime

Catherine O'Brien tells court she is ‘not guilty of anything’

Catherine O'Brien was 'flat out lying to a vulnerable, elderly man', court told

court and crime

Catherine O'Brien was 'flat out lying to a vulnerable, elderly man', court told

Catherine O'Brien claimed she was threatened by man in balaclava, court hears

court and crime

Catherine O'Brien claimed she was threatened by man in balaclava, court hears

Catherine O'Brien convinced man to spend €40k on horses but deferred meeting him, court hears

Catherine O'Brien convinced man to spend €40k on horses but deferred meeting him, court hears

Ms O’Brien assured John Blake, who she met on an online dating site, that an investment in breeding rights to a stallion called Shakeel, which she said she owned, was a 'zero-risk' investment

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

Catherine O'Brien told man she met on dating site of 'zero-risk' €20k horse investment, court hears

Catherine O'Brien told man she met on dating site of 'zero-risk' €20k horse investment, court hears

The court heard how John Blake had to get a credit union loan of €20,000 to buy a thoroughbred stallion called Shakeel

Wed, 02 Jul, 2025

Cork woman Catherine O'Brien denies deception charges over €20k purchase of French horse

Cork woman Catherine O'Brien denies deception charges over €20k purchase of French horse

The trial is to begin on Wednesday and may run into next week

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

2023 Summer European Youth Olympic Festival - Day 6

Offaly's Cian Crampton claims bronze for Ireland at Euro U18 Athletics Championship

There is a decent chance of another Irish medal in the men’s 400m final on Saturday evening, with Conor Kelly coasting to victory in his semi-final in 47.62.

Fri, 19 Jul, 2024

Alleged fraudster Catherine O’Brien used defunct State visa scheme to attract potential investors here

Alleged fraudster Catherine O’Brien used defunct State visa scheme to attract potential investors here

The government’s Immigrant Investor Programme was a pathway for non-European Economic Area nationals to secure an immigration permission in Ireland on the basis of long-term investment in a range of options approved by the Government

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

False documents erected on gate of Catherine O'Brien's Waterford home

False documents erected on gate of Catherine O'Brien's Waterford home

It is understood the notice claiming to be a High Court order has been removed by gardaí

Fri, 01 Dec, 2023

Catherine the Fake podcast: The story of florist turned fraudster Catherine O’Brien

Catherine the Fake podcast: The story of florist turned fraudster Catherine O’Brien

Slippery as an eel, florist turned fraudster Catherine O’Brien has left a trail of destruction across the country — and is being hunted by the gardaí. Ann Murphy investigates the case in a new Irish Examiner podcast series

Listen | Thu, 20 Jul, 2023

Horses seized in operation targeting alleged fraudster Catherine O'Brien 'should be rehomed'

Horses seized in operation targeting alleged fraudster Catherine O'Brien 'should be rehomed'

More than 20 of the horses seized remain in the care of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, which is currently paying the costs for minding the animals, while O'Brien's whereabouts are unknown, Dáil heard

Tue, 30 May, 2023

Catherine O'Brien trail leads to Slovakia

Catherine O'Brien trail leads to Slovakia

A woman calling herself Katie O’Brien has enlisted the services of trainers and agents by phone — including from a number known to have been used by Catherine O’Brien in Ireland.

Listen | Fri, 05 May, 2023

Prosecution unwilling to pursue case for absent Catherine O'Brien

Prosecution unwilling to pursue case for absent Catherine O'Brien

Two men were accused of demanding money with menace from Ms O'Brien, who is a suspect herself in eight active cases involving €100,000

Wed, 11 Jan, 2023

Catherine O'Brien 'was top class', says businessman who had narrow escape from fraudster

Catherine O'Brien 'was top class', says businessman who had narrow escape from fraudster

Owner of Knocklofty House and Marlfield House in Co Tipperary Denis English was targeted by Catherine O'Brien, who promised him a way out of his financial difficulties

Mon, 02 Jan, 2023

Catherine the Fake podcast: Tall tales in Co Tipperary

Catherine the Fake podcast: Tall tales in Co Tipperary

How Catherine O'Brien convinced a desperate property owner she was in the pay of an Emirati prince who could solve their money worries

Listen | Sun, 01 Jan, 2023

Catherine the Fake Q&A podcast special: Who is she, and why should people care?

Catherine the Fake Q&A podcast special: Who is she, and why should people care?

In this special edition podcast, we seek to answer the question 'who is Catherine O'Brien' – and many others

Listen | Wed, 28 Dec, 2022

Catherine the Fake: How O'Brien took elderly Waterford woman to Vatican and conned her out of €300k

Catherine the Fake: How O'Brien took elderly Waterford woman to Vatican and conned her out of €300k

A strong bond formed over a love of art and antiques led Marie O'Shea to a dream visit to the Pope with Catherine O'Brien who she treated like a daughter. However, a series of unpaid loans over the years would break that link, writes Ann Murphy

Wed, 28 Dec, 2022

Charity has spent €250k caring for 25 horses seized from alleged fraudster Catherine O’Brien

Charity has spent €250k caring for 25 horses seized from alleged fraudster Catherine O’Brien

The charity is hoping that new legislation going through the Oireachtas will include equine welfare

Tue, 27 Dec, 2022

Bid to enforce instalment order on alleged fraudster Catherine O’Brien fails

Bid to enforce instalment order on alleged fraudster Catherine O’Brien fails

Order required her to clear a debt judgement of almost €300,000 through weekly instalments of €10,000

Sun, 18 Dec, 2022

Catherine O’Brien's judicial review of animal welfare conviction set for July

Catherine O’Brien's judicial review of animal welfare conviction set for July

The proceedings relate to her conviction, in her absence, on more than 30 counts of animal welfare breaches

Tue, 29 Nov, 2022

Court to hear Catherine O’Brien judicial review case

Court to hear Catherine O’Brien judicial review case

Catherine O’Brien's case is up for mention before Mr Justice Charles Meenan.

Tue, 29 Nov, 2022

Catherine the Fake: Horse trainers across Ireland 'owed money by O'Brien'

Catherine the Fake: Horse trainers across Ireland 'owed money by O'Brien'

Ms O’Brien is currently sought by gardaí investigating complaints from people alleging fraudulent activities by her.

Sat, 19 Nov, 2022

Alleged fraudster Catherine O'Brien disqualified from racing horses in her name

Alleged fraudster Catherine O'Brien disqualified from racing horses in her name

The Irish Examiner's continuing investigation into the activities of 'Catherine the Fake' reveal Horse Racing Ireland has disqualified her from racing horses

Listen | Mon, 14 Nov, 2022

Catherine the Fake: How Clare became a playground for the fraudster

Catherine the Fake: How Clare became a playground for the fraudster

Catherine O'Brien has left a trail of destruction in her wake, from the west coast, across the Midlands and south, to the east coast. Ann Murphy speaks to some of the people affected by her crimes

Listen | Sun, 13 Nov, 2022

Catherine the Fake podcasts and extra content

Catherine the Fake podcasts and extra content

Listen to Irish Examiner journalist, Ann Murphy's podcast series and learn how mistress of re-invention, Catherine O'Brien, scammed her way around rural Ireland. Enjoy extra interviews audio and video.

Wed, 09 Nov, 2022

French authorities investigating forged certificates allegedly linked to Catherine O'Brien

French authorities investigating forged certificates allegedly linked to Catherine O'Brien

Ms O’Brien is currently the subject of an arrest warrant, after she was convicted in her absence of breaches of animal welfare legislation

Sun, 06 Nov, 2022

Catherine the Fake: O'Brien wrote to Polish horse buyers claiming animal was stolen

Catherine the Fake: O'Brien wrote to Polish horse buyers claiming animal was stolen

Catherine O’Brien, who has an address in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, is wanted for questioning by gardaí investigating allegations of fraud in the sale of horses in the past three to four years.

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

The Mick Clifford Podcast — Ann Murphy on the Catherine the Fake investigation

The Mick Clifford Podcast — Ann Murphy on the Catherine the Fake investigation

has had a varied business career flitting between law, the florist business, a veterinary products company and moving in the bloodstock world.

Listen | Thu, 27 Oct, 2022

Catherine the Fake: The fraudster being hunted by gardaí who left a trail of destruction

Catherine the Fake: The fraudster being hunted by gardaí who left a trail of destruction

Florist, solicitor, publican, horse trader... Buttevant woman Catherine O'Brien has had many guises, but they all have one thing in common — an ability to make people believe they can make money with her. Ann Murphy follows the trail of destruction left in the wanted woman's wake

Listen | Tue, 25 Oct, 2022

Catherine the Fake: Who is the Cork woman at the centre of six fraud investigations?

Catherine the Fake: Who is the Cork woman at the centre of six fraud investigations?

Catherine O’Brien, originally from Buttevant but with an address in Dungarvan is wanted for questioning by gardaí investigating allegations of fraud in the sale of horses in the past three to four years

Listen | Fri, 21 Oct, 2022

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