A 25-year-old man who deceived an elderly woman out of her life savings has been given an eight-month prison sentence at Limerick District Court.

Michael Harrington of Cronin Lawns, Shannon, faced two charges of receiving €6,200 by deception from 71-year-old Teresa Gribbins on dates in May 2008 and March 2009.

Ms Gribbins was a patient at the Sancta Maria nursing home in Cratloe in Co Clare and Harrington was a care worker there.

The court heard that Harrington befriended Ms Gribbins and asked her for money to invest in an exporting business, as he had been refused a loan by the bank.

She had received a settlement from the Redress Board and offered him the sums of money in good faith and was promised a return on her investment.

The accused told her by text that he had a number of contracts in the pipeline and that he was in contact with his accountant.

However, it turned out he had no contracts or an accountant.

The deception came to light when nursing home staff informed Ms Gribbins that two direct debit payments from her account failed to materialise over two months.

Garda Stephan Ryan, who investigated the case, said the total amount Ms Gribbins had invested in Harrington's alleged business was €60,000.

He said the money was being used to fund Harrington's lifestyle.

Imposing an eight-month sentence Judge Tom O'Donnell said it was one of the most appalling cases of deception that he had ever come across.

Judge O'Donnell said the accused man had taken advantage of a vulnerable person and effectively left her wiped-out, destitute and penniless. He praised Ms Gribbins for giving evidence.

Harrington is appealing the sentence to the Circuit Court.

Ms Gribbins warned others to be careful of the people they trust and those who befriend them in light of her experience.

