Amy McAuley jailed for three years over scheme to fake her death

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Amy McAuley was jailed for three years after faking her death to avoid trial on theft and deception charges, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a four-year global sentence, suspending the final 12 months for four years on strict conditions.

McAuley had pleaded guilty to submitting a false death notification form to Wexford County Council, forging a medical report, perverting the course of justice and theft offences. Her trial on charges linked to a €10,000 KBC loan obtained with altered documents did not proceed in January 2023 because she was believed to be dead.

Judge Crowe said the offending was planned over a protracted period and involved significant breaches of trust. She cited the amount of money involved and McAuley’s previous convictions as aggravating factors, while taking account of her guilty pleas, remorse, family support and medical and mental health difficulties.