RTE Investigates [RTE 1]

My question is whether these people knew well that there was something dodgy going on, but they thought the dodginess would be to their own benefit?

2018 🤔 that seems very odd

It's a fair question and I have my suspicions about 2 particular stories , namely the €60k ones. But I do believe the majority genuinely duped, nieve and desperate.

I felt the woman in Cork seemed genuinely duped and desperate. You can tell this has had a huge affect on her health. I felt really sorry for her.

The others I feel there is alot more to their stories. The programme last night just gave a basic overview. Alot of relevant questions were not addressed at all.

I said the same thing last night. A large sum to be paid in cash is dodgy but that's far too easy for both me and you to say.

When people are in debt and in trouble with the banks with their homes, often there are feelings of shame, guilt, embarrassment, fear. These people were vulnerable and they were preyed upon and took advantage of.

Excellently put and oddly there'll be consequences if an investigation proceeds , namely some individuals having to explain were these sums of money came from, particularly the two €60K amounts

Utter scumbag, accepting that these people were very naive, but when you are as desperate as they are you're not thinking straight. But for the grace of God and all that. The question I have which wasn't addressed on the programme is how she became aware of these people's difficulties in the first place? Certainly Start Mortgages were involved in at least two of the 18 cases, but there were 18 (I think) in total (and possibly more who knows). So was somebody on the inside providing her with this information or did she advertise her services and they contacted her? In addition to the the bould 'Damian' she clearly couldn't have been acting alone to get their data/details in the first place.

Remember Gay Byrne was conned out of his life savings, not once but twice.

Just watched it again.

Did the victims keep paying their mortgages or making payments they could afford during the process? Don't think it says anything relating to that.

With all of the texts and delays and excuses they were getting how did someone not get in the car and go down and confront the bitch.

Also as someone says about Mabs. How much arrears were the victims in? I'm not sure that I believe for a second that the lenders where going to repossess residential properties. You'd imagine that if the lender (start etc) were going to get a lump some of 20k,30k or 60k they'd have worked with the borrower.

How many are still in their homes and haven't faced a court date regarding repossession?

I just wouldn't have stood for it. Imagine being 18 months down the line after being told it would take weeks to get a contract and still making calls etc. After handing over 30k I'd have been at her front door. Only one thing these parasites understand and that's intimidation. Maybe her window fitter "solicitor" accomplice could help her fix her windows.

She's in trouble. When she was confronted you could see in her face she knew the game was up.

Not at all discussed or mentioned re continuing Mortgage payments but highly unlikely.

The continuous calls, texts, false promises is perplexing.

I personally believe most of those affected had actually reached repossession stage, At that stage mabs can't do anything and it's unlikely any sudden payment off arrears would stop repossession process unless a complete clearance of Mortgage debt was offered.

Unfortunately intimidation would not have worked , Carey an expert in deflection and excuses.

She's in trouble alright but I've a strange feeling , not all of the victims will pursue this as they themselves are likely to have questions to Answer, in particular were did the funds come from and then there's proving that actually handed over any funds in cash deal arrangements.

Surely after 60 seconds speaking with Damien the window fitting "solicitor " you would realise there was something dodgy talking place. During most of the conversations he appeared to be in a hurry to go into court. I'm not doubting his sincerity there but I wonder was it the solicitors benches or the Dock that he was heading for!