Courts / Dublin / Report
Former women's rights campaigner used sister's social welfare card to steal over €100k
Summary
Marie McMahon, 68, a former women's rights campaigner, admitted to fraudulently claiming over €100,000 in social welfare payments by using her sister Katherine's card. After Katherine emigrated in 1992, a friend initially collected the benefits, and McMahon later continued the scheme, splitting the money. The fraud spanned from 2002 to 2014, with a total of €101,538.80 stolen. McMahon was detected in July 2014 through facial recognition technology, which confirmed she was not Katherine. She pleaded guilty to 13 charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a five‑year sentence, suspended in full on the condition that McMahon complete 240 hours of community service and pay €15 per week to the Department of Social Protection. No jail time was imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former women's rights campaigner used sister's social welfare card to steal over €100k. Charges or matters: 13 charges of stealing various amounts of social welfare payments from James's Street Post Office on dates between September 1, 2002 and June 11, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2014 Incident
- September 1, 2002 Incident
- June 11, 2014 Incident
- 2002 to 2014 Other
- 2016-10-28 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 13 charges of stealing various amounts of social welfare payments from James's Street Post Office on dates between September 1, 2002 and June 11, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) By Sonya McLean and Fiona Ferguson A Dublin pensioner who stole over €100,000 by using her sister's social welfare card to fraudulently claim benefits has avoided jail on condition she carries out 240 hours community service. At the original sentence hearing Garda Richard Pender accepted that McMahon had one son, who she said was trouble as a child and that she was forced to pay out drug debts on his behalf on more than 20 occasions.; The case was adjourned to June when Mr Staines told the court that friends of McMahon had become aware of the case due to the media attention and had gathered €6,000 towards repayment of the money stolen.
Places mentioned
- Aideen Avenue
- Dublin
- James's Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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