Breifne O'Brien explained

Breifne O'Brien is a convicted swindler and former Irish socialite businessman.[1] A major figure in Ireland's Celtic Tiger economy, he has been called "Ireland's Bernie Madoff". His residences included a lavish family home in Glenageary, an apartment on Dalkey’s Vico Road and a golfing villa in Barbados. He drove an Aston Martin DB7 and had close to 100 bank accounts.[2] After admitting in 2008 to his investors - many of whom were close friends - that he had stolen millions of Euros of their money to fund a lavish lifestyle and could not pay it back, he was investigated by the Garda Síochána Fraud Squad.[3] [4] It was reported that he referred to his investors as "suckers".[5] [6] His mother put up his bail to get him out of jail and he was put on trial for fraud.[7] He pleaded guilty to a sample of charges brought against him involving sums totalling more than ten million euros. On 8 October 2014, O'Brien was sentenced to seven years in prison.[8] O'Brien appealed the sentence; the Court of Appeal denied the appeal in December 2015. In July 2016, the High Court adjudicated O'Brien as bankrupt. O'Brien was released on parole from prison in May 2018, having served approximately half of his prison sentence; he will be returned to prison if he comes to the attention of authorities.[9]

His family home is Carrigrohane Castle in Cork, Ireland. His father Leo was a businessman and his younger brother is RTÉ rugby commentator Daire O'Brien.[10] He was married to Fiona Nagle who divorced him after his fraud came to light, and he was renowned for hosting lavish parties at his home.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. News: Roisin. Burke. Rogue adviser Breifne O'Brien to cash in on Berlin sale. Sunday Independent. 22 July 2012. 22 July 2012.
  2. News: Antoinette. Kelly. Ireland's Bernie Madoff appears in court over investment scam. Irish Central. 21 September 2012. 21 September 2012.
  3. News: Maeve. Sheehan. The fall of King Con. Sunday Independent. 18 December 2011. 18 December 2011.
  4. News: O'Brien loses his sparkle. Evening Herald. 28 May 2012. 28 May 2012.
  5. News: Brennan. Joe Leogue and Declan. 2014-10-09. Fraudster Breifne O'Brien lived the high life on stolen cash. 2021-08-04. Irish Examiner. en.
  6. Web site: Breifne O'Brien estranged wife Fiona Nagle defends herself against allegations – Random Irish News . 20 December 2018 . 21 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181221041530/https://randomirishnews.com/2010/09/09/breifne-o%E2%80%99brien-estranged-wife-fiona-nagle-defends-herself-against-allegations/ . dead .
  7. News: Louise. Hogan. Socialite businessman Breifne O'Brien charged with theft of €11m. Irish Independent. 20 September 2012. 20 September 2012.
  8. Web site: Convicted fraudster Breifne O'Brien declared bankrupt. O'Faolain. Aodhan. 2016-07-25. Independent.ie. 2016-08-11.
  9. Web site: Fraudster Who Scammed High Society Pals Out Of Millions Out Of Prison. 13 May 2018.
  10. News: Louise . Hogan . Celtic Tiger party boy Breifne O'Brien bailed out by pensioner mum . https://archive.today/20130217224832/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/celtic-tiger-party-boy-breifne-obrien-bailed-out-by-pensioner-mum-3235719.html . dead . 17 February 2013 . Irish Independent . 21 September 2012 . 21 September 2012 .
  11. News: RTÉ star's €3k bet 'con': TV pundit Daire refused to pay wager says bookie girl . https://archive.today/20130203050439/http://www.sundayworld.com/columnists/index.php?aid=7922 . dead . 2013-02-03 . .
  12. News: Fiona Nagle: How I moved on after 'very, very difficult period for all of us. evoke.ie . 15 February 2015.

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