A district court judge was left in utter disbelief after hearing the exploits of a 22-year-old woman adept at “extracting money from foolish Irish men”.
At Galway District Court on Monday Judge Mary Fahy imposed an 11 month sentence on German national Jacqueline Hubicki for stealing €2,400 from her ex-boyfriend’s bank account, but the sentence was suspended for two years on condition that she be of good behaviour.
At a previous court sitting Hubicki with an address given as 4 Fionn Uisce, Doughiska, Galway, pleaded guilty to the theft of €400 at AIB banklink, Tuam Road, Galway on January 26, 2009, theft of €400 at Permanent TSB, Galway, on January 28, theft of €400 at Bank of Ireland, Eyre Square, on February 2, theft of €300 at Bank of Ireland, Eyre Square, on February 3, and the theft of €500, at Bank of Ireland, O’Connell Street, Dublin, and theft of €400 at Ulster Bank, O’Connell Street, Dublin, both on February 5, 2009.
Inspector Sean Glynn told the court that the defendant had been in possession of her ex-boyfriend’s bank card and carried out the six transactions. He added that the injured party did not realise the thefts had occurred until he got his bank statement.
Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that his client had come to Ireland two and a half years ago and had met the injured party. They were dating for more than eight months when Hubicki suddenly became unemployed. She also found herself in difficulty due to a court case in Germany. “This was when the problems started,” he said.
The injured party explained that the court case was “for something similar” and that 10 days after Hubicki came back to Ireland he had noticed his bank card had been used. He then said the €2,400 that was taken from the bank account had not been returned and that during their relationship he had also lent her a further €2,000 which had also not been paid back.
The court then heard that Hubicki had brought with her €2,300 for compensation. When Judge Fahy enquired as to where this sum came from she was told that some had come out of the defendant’s wages while the remainder was a loan from a male friend who then came forward in court.
“How many more men are going to appear,” asked Judge Fahy in disbelief. She was then informed that this friend had supplied €2,000 of the compensation.
“What!” replied Judge Fahy who added that the defendant seems adept at “extracting money from foolish Irish men”.
“I am helping a friend in need,” said the friend.
“Her bona fides is very suspect,” said Judge Fahy, to which Mr MacLynn replied that his client has no previous convictions and had co-operated fully with gardai.
“Her form is to borrow money from men. Only €300 [of the compensation] belongs to her,” said Judge Fahy.
“She didn’t ask me, I volunteered,” replied the friend.
“Aren’t you a mighty man. The chances of you getting that back are slim. I don’t believe she is half as vulnerable as she is making out,” said Judge Fahy before sentencing.
After fixing recognisances in the event of an appeal Judge Fahy ordered that the circuit court judge be informed that only €300 of the compensation came from Hubicki. “There was no pain here for her, absolutely none,” she added.
