Dundalk Court: Woman falsely claimed almost €180k in social welfare

A 68 year old Crossmaglen woman who used her maiden name and a Louth address to falsely claim almost €180,000 in social welfare payments, was jailed for nine months at Dundalk Circuit Court last week.

Philomena Morrissey of Carrigeen, Cappoquin, County Waterford was before the court having pleaded guilty to 13 offences, having initially been charged with 64 counts – 59 charges of theft, one of deception and four of making a false statement in relation to false claims made between November 2006 and July 2019.

The court heard last Wednesday that following the breakup of her marriage the mother of five, while living in Armagh, had used an address in Louth to claim the job seekers allowance, rent allowance and disability benefit under her maiden name.

Almost €40,000 had been repaid to the State and just under €137,000 remains outstanding and ongoing repayments of just over €39 per week.

Ms Morrissey had no previous convictions and the court had previously sought an assessment for community service, but a Probation report found she was unsuitable as she suffers from anxiety and depression and medical issues.

Judge Dara Hayes noted there had been just under 13 years of offending and in reality, the amount outstanding will never be paid in full with the fraud being described as being of epic proportions.

He imposed concurrent sentences of two years and eight months in each case, and said given the prolonged nature of her offending and the considerable amount stolen that a custodial sentence was warranted.

However, Judge Hayes said given her personal circumstances, "The fact of the sentence was more important than the length" and he suspended the final 23 months on her entering a bond to be of good behaviour during that time and placed her under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months post release.