Barrister who introduced clients to Catriona Carey's firm goes to gardaí over vicious trolls

Ciara Ruschitzko spoke out about the online abuse over links to Careysfort Asset Estates, the firm of hockey player Catriona Carey, a sister of hurling legend DJ.

RTÉ Primetime Investigates recently highlighted how Catriona Carey secured substantial deposits from borrowers, promising to buy their homes from the banks before selling them back to them at an affordable cost.

However no deal was arranged and, despite a clause in a contract with home owners stating deposits would be refunded if the transaction was not completed, no money was ­returned.

When Ruschitzko was asked if she regreted meeting Catriona Carey, she said: "Do I regret meeting Catriona Carey? Oh yes, yes I do.

"I have assisted lay litigants and distressed borrowers for many years, on many ­occasions on a voluntary basis.  I have always done this with the best ­intent." She said what happened ­horrified her.

She added: "I am involving the gardaí over what was aimed at me on social media.

"Some of the social media posts were horrendous. I have screen shots and copies of all messages, texts and WhatsApps and I am handing them over." She said she was also a victim. "My life has been turned upside down," she added.

"Everything I have worked for has been put at risk, my name has been plastered all over social media and my good character and reputation has been taken from me."

In response to questions sent to her Ms ­Ruschitzko told us she had, with the best of intentions, introduced a number of people to a proposed source of funding.

She added that since last August she has been making strenuous efforts to help people try and recoup their losses She said: "I directly introduced the idea of funding to a handful of people.  It wasn't what I term a scheme as they quoted individual terms.

"This number grew because one gentleman I introduced to Catriona Carey obviously liked what he heard at the meeting with her and introduced three more to her. Another introduced four."

The Sunday World has heard secretly recorded conversations in which a man who says he is advocating for some of those who lost money is challenging Ruschitzko.

The barrister accepts she took a couple of deposits on behalf of the company but insists she gave over company receipts from Carey's company.

She can be heard saying: "The company gave a receipt for the money absofu**inlutely, do you think I would take 15,000 in my fuckin hand and not give a receipt." She later adds the contract stated it was down to those involved to check everything out with their own professional advisors, solicitors accountants and such like."