Catherine Simpson given suspended sentence for €206k fraud

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Catherine Simpson was given a fully suspended three-year sentence for social welfare fraud at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, reported on 25 October 2017. She had pleaded guilty to ten sample counts involving €206,696.09 in benefits claimed using two PPS numbers between 1998 and 2016.

The court heard that Simpson used her married name when claiming benefits while working under her maiden name. Judge Karen O’Connor noted her remorse and difficult circumstances, while Simpson was instructed to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for three years.