Dublin Court Hears Landscaper Defrauded Elderly Woman of Over €50,000 for Substandard Work

The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard that a landscaper defrauded an 82-year-old woman of more than €50,000 for poor-quality garden work, leaving her feeling unsafe and vulnerable in her own home.

Myles Connors (37), of College Farm Heights, Newbridge, Co Kildare, has pleaded guilty to two counts of deception relating to incidents in June 2024.

Inflated Charges and Substandard Work

The court was told that Connors initially quoted the woman €11,600 for weed removal and cementing at her Dublin home. He subsequently persuaded her to undertake additional slabbing work, quoting a significantly higher figure of €48,000.

Later, he charged a further €5,000 for power washing and painting her tarmac—work the woman had not requested.

An independent assessment commissioned by Garda Síochána found that the total work carried out should have cost no more than €20,000 if completed to an appropriate standard. The materials used were valued at less than €3,000.

Evidence presented in court indicated that the workmanship was of a particularly poor standard, with uneven paving, unsecured slabs, and loosely constructed flower beds.

Victim Felt Pressured to Continue Work

Detective Garda Aileen Deely told the court that Connors had been recommended to the victim by a neighbour for whom he had completed similar work at a much lower cost.

On June 6, 2024, Connors and three employees began work at the woman’s home. The following day, materials costing approximately €1,420 were delivered.

The court heard that Connors pressured the woman into writing a cheque for €35,000—part of the €48,000 quoted—requesting that it be made payable to a company from which he was purchasing a vehicle.

Despite expressing dissatisfaction and asking for the work to stop, the woman felt unable to refuse continuation after Connors returned to her home and confronted her over complaints made to his workers.

On June 14, Connors carried out additional work on the property and demanded further payment, bringing the total amount paid by the victim to over €50,000.

Financial Trail and Arrest

Investigators revealed that Connors had purchased the slabbing materials for just €1,200 prior to commencing the project. On the same day, he placed a €1,000 deposit on a Ford Ranger Raptor, trading in his own vehicle and leaving a balance of €35,000.

Connors was later arrested but exercised his right to silence during questioning. The court was informed that he has one prior conviction for criminal damage.

Lasting Impact on the Victim

In her victim impact statement, the elderly woman described the profound emotional toll of the incident. Living alone and with mobility issues, she said the experience had shattered her sense of security.

She told the court she now feels frightened in her own home, struggles to sleep, and is anxious when answering the door or telephone. “I once felt safe and independent, but that has been taken from me,” she said, adding that the ordeal had “ruined” her life.

Case Adjourned for Psychiatric Report

Defence counsel informed the court that €41,800 had been frozen in Connors’ bank account, with a bank draft prepared to cover the remaining amount owed.

The defence also stated that Connors has a history of psychiatric issues and has spent time in and out of hospital. A psychiatric report has been commissioned but is not yet available.

Presiding judge Orla Crowe described the case as “deeply serious” and adjourned proceedings until May 19, 2026, when the report is expected to be presented and a full plea in mitigation will be heard.