A FORMER prison officer turned serial con man who was the subject of an RTÉ Livelinecampaign to track him down has been given a three-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Thomas McLoughlin (51) was the subject of a campaign on Joe Duffy’s show to find “Tom the Con” after listeners called in to complain of being scammed in various ways including not paying for hotels and using false bank drafts.
He appeared before Judge Frank O’Donnell for taking deposits on an apartment from two foreign nationals and not letting them move in. He was also found in possession of cheques stolen from various people including a solicitor’s office.
McLoughlin, originally from Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, but now of Wellington Road, Donnybrook, has 41 previous convictions, all of them relating to fraud.
Defence counsel Garrett Baker said most of the money was eventually restored to the victims except for €2,425 owed to the two foreign nationals. He told Judge O’Donnell yesterday that the balance of that money had been handed over to the prosecuting Garda Gerard Fallon for distribution to the victims.
Judge O’Donnell said the evidence showed “a consistent pattern of offending that falls under the umbrella of deception, theft and fraud”.
He accepted McLoughlin’s offences were “not violent” but said he had not shown “any regard” for his victims. He suspended the sentence on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for three years and liaise with the probation service for 12 months.
