Sorry to hear you got caught out. Never ever part with money before a job is done and you are happy with it.
As for the Irish angle, before we all start getting worked up let read what was written and leave it there. I am sure there are crooks in Ireland as there are everywhere. Please let's not have a slanging match over "he said this, he said that". People are getting ripped off and conned, I dnt give a hoot what race, colour or creed the crooks are, they are ****** crooks.