Victim believed she was in genuine relationship and gave conman €142,000 which he spent on his own family while claiming he was undergoing cancer treatment
The mother of one outlined how Peter McDonagh (32) asked for money for cancer treatment, cars, funeral expenses and to clear debts.
Passing sentence at Drogheda Circuit Court on Friday, Judge Sinéad McMullan said that the victim had been targeted in a “despicable and sinister manner” as she jailed the conman for five years.
The victim said that he had identified her vulnerability and put a plan in place. She was unaware at the outset that he was married with three children.
McDonagh, of Melville Way, Finglas, Dublin 11, and Reask Court, Navan, pleaded guilty to nine counts of deception under the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act, 2001, concerning the transfer of a total of €71,000 to him.
A nolle prosequi (no prosecution) was entered in respect of nine other charges, with a balance of 37 taken into consideration.
The offending occurred between January and November 2024 when the woman gave the accused approximately €142,000 which came from a life assurance policy.
Det Gda Charlie Barrett testified that the victim’s husband died by suicide in September 2023, leaving her and a young daughter.
Peter McDonagh was sentenced in Drogheda Circuit Court.
News in 90 Seconds – April 24th 2026
She met McDonagh for the first time at the wake. He said that he knew her husband through work.
He messaged her on Facebook “out of the blue” in October, saying that he needed her number as her husband had asked him to do a favour. She gave him the number and he began messaging her daily before they began what she believed was a genuine relationship.
McDonagh said that he wanted to marry her. He would “step up” and be a father to her daughter. He told her that he was single and an orphan.
He began asking for money in January 2024, telling her that he needed it for a car to sleep in.
Over the following months he kept asking for, and getting, money for things such as bail, a Gucci bag for her birthday which she never received, reconstruction of a relative’s grave, more cars and living expenses when he said that he was homeless in England.
He was telling her that he had a claim coming and would be able to repay everything.
McDonagh asked for money “one last time” and said if she didn’t give it to him he would “do what I have to do”. She felt that was a reference to suicide.
However, the requests for money kept coming and she obliged each time.
There was €8,000 to pay for his sister’s funeral before he told her in April 2024 that he had bowel cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
Sums for this treatment included €9,000, €8,250, €10,000 and €17,000 of which €7,000 was for his brother’s funeral.
The accused then told her he needed €4,600 for private treatment.
The woman discovered that at this time he was in Barcelona with his wife and children. His wife had communicated with her.
In August he said that the cancer had “gone away” but that he owed money to dangerous people who would kill him. She gave him €10,000.
He claimed that his ex-wife knew these people and that she would tell them where the woman and her daughter lived.
Over the next couple of weeks the victim handed over another €29,000 which she believed was to keep her and her daughter safe.
In October she met McDonagh’s wife at Dublin Airport. This woman told her that they had enjoyed family holidays in Barcelona, Knock, Alton Towers and other places, as well as getting a new car, all with her money.
Again the defendant told her that he had a claim coming and would repay the money.
She called him out on this and he admitted that he had no money and that there was no claim.
Neither did he follow through on three different repayment plans. He texted that he had left his wife.
Det. Gda. Barrett continued that the woman made a complaint to gardaí on November 14, 2024.
Peter McDonagh was arrested in the Departures area of Dublin Airport T2 on February 27, 2025. He had booked a one-way flight to Manchester.
He told investigators that he still loved the woman. His wife prevented him from paying her back. He said that he had a drugs debt, blaming his victim’s deceased husband for that.
The defendant continued that he gambled, saying, “She knew where the money was going”.
He agreed that the figure was around €142,000. There was nothing left.
He then denied using her money, claiming that he didn’t know she had money and telling gardaí that no one forced her to do anything. It was her fault.
McDonagh replied, “Bullshit”, when it was put to him he got €142,000 by deception.
The court heard he was released and subsequently charged on December 6 last since when he has been in custody.
There are 42 previous convictions, including for deception, theft, criminal damage, and public order.
Reading out her Victim Impact Statement, the lady said that she had been targeted because of her trust and honesty at the most vulnerable and traumatic time of her life.
The money was the only security she had for her and her daughter and it had been taken away.
She was told of serious consequences for them if she didn’t send money. When there was nothing left she was urged to borrow more.
“I believed I was in a genuine relationship.”
However, she said that McDonagh had a deliberate and cruel scheme “from the very beginning”.
There had been no remorse, acknowledgement of what he did nor repayment.
“Not a single cent has been given to me. He used the money for his and his own family’s benefit.”
The woman spoke of the impact on her health and how she installed security at her home, had left social media and was afraid to go out. She was no longer able to work.
“My life has been turned upside down and our future taken away.”
Barrister Eoghan Fagan said that Peter McDonagh has five sisters and two brothers, and in his youth was a promising boxer, winning Leinster Championships at Drogheda ABC.
At age 17 he fractured his skull during a feud in Navan which put an end to his boxing career.
Gambling was the underlying issue. He had accrued debts.
Judge McMullan noted that gardaí said gambling only accounted for €20,000, adding the court could attach limited weight to refences and testimonials because some of the authors appeared unaware of the previous convictions nor the extent of the offending in question.
Counsel continued that his client had a letter of apology. He wanted to take up employment “to make good the wrong”.
“It is clear to see the harm caused to a young widow deceived of €142,000,” said the judge.
Contact had been made when she was particularly vulnerable. There was a sustained course of conduct over many months involving multiple sums of money and use of elaborate ploys to induce payment.
Threats had been made against a woman “targeted in a despicable and sinister manner”.
Judge McMullan continued that there was “minimal mitigation in this case”.
An early guilty plea was a concrete demonstration of remorse but there was little other evidence of remorse.
Not one cent had been paid back. The defendant had no money and hadn’t worked since 2022.
A total sentence of 5 years and 3 months was imposed, the last 3 months suspended for 3 years, and backdated to December 6 last. Peter McDonagh must not contact the injured party, her daughter and her immediate family.
Judge McMullan extended them her best wishes in the future.
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