A 47-year-old man who "swindled" an elderly widow out of nearly €20,000 has been ordered to pay back all of the money and compensation within the next 12 weeks.
Seamus Maher, from Mayfield, Claremorris, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of theft.
Detective Garda Chris Murray told Roscommon Circuit Court that Maher, who was described as an "addicted gambler" had taken approximately €19,360 by deception from Elizabeth Fallon, Dysart, Co Roscommon, from January 2013 into the following year.
The court had been told that Maher had called to her home to solicit payments for a new water purification system.
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Mrs Fallon told gardaí she felt pressured by this man calling to her house "and that he would not leave until I gave him the cheques," she said.
"This man was so convincing that he kept feeding on me," she told gardaí.
Judge Keenan Johnson heard that Maher had paid some compensation already but was not in a position to pay an instalment of €850 that was due for payment today.
The judge said there would be no more negotiation on this issue.
"I am not going to let this drag on indefinitely ... I want to see all of the compensation that is owed to this woman paid back before the end of April when I will finalise the case," he said.
