Patrick O’Brien: Irish roofer claims $1m scam charges ‘nonsense’

An Irish roofer accused of defrauding clients across Sydney out of their life savings has been hit with further charges after police discovered more alleged victims.

Patrick O'Brien during his arrest in May. Picture: NSW Police

An Irish roofer who allegedly defrauded clients across Sydney out of more than $1 million has been hit with further charges after police discovered five more alleged victims.

Irish national Patrick Michael O’Brien, 39, has been in custody since his arrest in May after allegedly scamming two clients out of $900,000.

Police will allege he defrauded a 56-year-old woman of $623,000 for incomplete roofing work on her Kensington home between September and December 2019, and $276,000 from a 70-year old woman for roofing work on her Stanmore home between May and August 2019.

Patrick O'Brien. Picture: NSW Police

The agreed price for the work was $120,000 and $44,000 respectively which blew out to $623,000 and $276,000, police alleged in court documents.

Police will also allege O’Brien did not have a licence to carry out the work and used fake names.

O’Brien has since been hit with further charges relating to five other alleged victims in Oatley, West Pennant Hills, Pagewood, Randwick and Cabramatta.

The five clients were allegedly scammed out of more than $100,000 between April 2019 and May 2020.

O’Brien appeared via audio visual link in Central Local Court on Thursday and told the court he would represent himself for the remainder of his case.

“The charges against me are complete nonsense,” he told the court.

At one stage, Magistrate Robert Williams muted him on screen as he continued to talk despite being warned to stop.

Central Local Court.

During an earlier court appearance, the court heard O’Brien allegedly scammed victims in an “elaborate and organised” scheme in which he used fake companies and names.

In one instance, it was alleged he used the name Scott and operated under fake company PNS Renovations, registered to an address in Eastgardens.

The court heard bank reports, a paper trail of receipts, and a lack of expenditure on building materials was part of the evidence against O’Brien’s alleged ruse.

O’Brien has been charged with a long list of offences including seven counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception.

He has filed to make a bail application on December 15.

O’Brien has a wife and children, the court heard. No pleas have been entered.