A Dublin woman has been convicted of defrauding a friend of approximately €30,000 after exploiting the victim’s dream of investing in a Lanzarote bar, The Irish Times reports. Geraldine McGrath (57) pleaded guilty to three counts of deception at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The victim, who had spoken fondly of retiring to Lanzarote, used money from her wages, savings and pension to fund the fictitious venture. A detective told the court the two women had been friends since the 1970s and shared a holiday to Lanzarote. McGrath later claimed she was investing in a local pub and offered her friend the chance to invest through her.

Source: The Irish Times January 02, 2026 09:33 UTC