Fermanagh Brothers Jailed for US Elderly Home Repair Fraud

Two brothers from County Fermanagh, who defrauded elderly homeowners in the United States of hundreds of thousands of dollars, have received an 18-month prison sentence in the US and are likely to face deportation. Patrick McDonagh, 35, and Matthew McDonagh, 34, both from Irvinestown, operated in Oregon and Illinois, presenting themselves as home repair contractors and deceiving senior citizens. One homeowner in a neighborhood north of Seattle suffered losses of approximately $435,000 (£343,000) due to their scheme. The brothers entered guilty pleas in September and have already completed six months of their 18-month term. During court proceedings, a victim testified that the fraudulent acts caused feelings of shame and betrayal. “They were aggressive, relentless in their pursuit of more and more money. They preyed on my trust and my faith…. I feel ashamed, frustrated, and betrayed and now I don’t trust others.” District Judge John H Chun characterized their conduct as “terrible and serious criminal conduct.” The United States Department of Justice stated that both individuals are expected to be deported. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Watts Staniar informed BBC News NI that the majority of the McDonaghs’ victims were over the age of 60. She noted that both men conveyed regret and offered apologies to one victim who attended Monday’s hearing. “This doesn’t make the victim whole,” she said, but stated it could contribute to the recovery process. She further remarked that the “financial cost is really dire” for numerous individuals defrauded by the McDonaghs. The primary victim in the prosecution’s case, whose total losses approached half a million dollars, provided the brothers with half of his retirement funds. “Because the McDonaghs, and people like them, have taken advantage of this trust, it leads victims to a sense of fear and an inability to move forward,” she stated. “There is an emotional devastation which comes with this type of crime.” FBI special agent Ethan Via characterized the McDonaghs’ fraudulent operation as a “travelling roadshow of fraud” – moving across states, approaching residences, and informing property owners of alleged issues with their roofs or chimneys to “weasel in” to the victims. “The scope of this is something I was stunned about and continue to be,” he said, further noting that the brothers’ deceptive practices were “very sophisticated.” “They are in these people’s houses. In our most sacred places, in our living rooms, in our dining rooms. They would get their victims to open up to them about their other financial accounts.” Mr. Via verified that both siblings are subject to deportation orders, though their destination, whether Northern Ireland or the Republic, remains undetermined. The United States Attorney’s Office for the western district of Washington reported that the brothers traversed the nation, defrauding homeowners by fabricating claims of urgent home repair requirements. During January 2024, they initially contacted a victim in Shoreline, situated north of Seattle, asserting the presence of a roof hole and proposing repairs, including moss removal. Over several days, they coerced the victim into issuing checks for their purported services, totaling $15,000 (£11,830), $20,000 (£15,770), and $26,000 (£20,500). Subsequently, they alleged the victim’s foundation was cracked, offering to mend it using a titanium tie rod system. In reality, the roof lacked a hole, and the foundation was structurally sound. Nevertheless, the siblings excavated trenches and poured concrete to create the illusion of completed work. Their coercion for additional funds persisted, encompassing a demand for the victim to wire $200,000 (£157,730) to a third party for “building supplies.” Ultimately, the McDonaghs embezzled nearly half a million dollars—specifically $435,000—from this individual. The FBI inquiry linked the brothers to allegations of contractor fraud in both Oregon and Illinois. In Oregon, Patrick McDonagh falsely informed three separate victims that he was associated with a reputable local construction company. These victims disbursed up to $29,000 (£22,870) for foundation work that remained unfinished. Conversely, in Illinois, Matthew McDonagh offered to repave a victim’s driveway and reconstruct a retaining wall for $99,000 (£78,080). Following a payment of $75,000 (£59,150) by the victim, the work performed was substandard and caused damage to the residence. The two individuals have consented to provide restitution to the victims, covering a portion or the entirety of the financial losses incurred due to the offenses. Specifically, this encompasses $235,000 (£185,330) for the Shoreline victim, approximately $50,000 (£39,430) for the three victims in Oregon, $75,000 (£59,149) for an Illinois victim, and over $673,000 (£530,760) for a victim located in Bellevue, Washington.