Courts / Dublin / Report
Sisters who claimed dead father's social welfare avoid jail
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Alison Walker (32) and Gillian Walker (39) to two‑and‑a‑half years each, with the sentences suspended under conditions. The sisters had fraudulently claimed over €50,000 in social welfare benefits after their father's death, with Alison claiming €22,078 in carer's allowance and respite care grants and Gillian claiming €32,398 in carer's allowance and state pension. Both pleaded guilty to four counts of stealing from the Department of Social Protection at Drimnagh Post Office between 2013 and 2016. The judge noted the sisters' knowledge of wrongdoing, their financial motives, and mitigating factors such as Alison's pregnancy and Gillian's single parenthood of four children. The court accepted their remorse and the mitigating circumstances presented by their defence lawyers. The sentences were suspended pending compliance with the court's conditions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sisters who claimed dead father's social welfare avoid jail. Charges or matters: four counts of stealing from the Department of Social Protection at Drimnagh Post Office between December 2013 and March 2016; four counts of stealing from the Department of Social Protection at Drimnagh Post Office between January 2013 and June 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2013 Other
- March 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-02-23 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four counts of stealing from the Department of Social Protection at Drimnagh Post Office between December 2013 and March 2016; four counts of stealing from the Department of Social Protection at Drimnagh Post Office between January 2013 and June 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He handed down a two-and-a-half year sentence to both women and suspended each one on a number of conditions.
Defendant
Charges: four counts of stealing from the Department of Social Protection at Drimnagh Post Office between December 2013 and March 2016; four counts of stealing from the Department of Social Protection at Drimnagh Post Office between January 2013 and June 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He handed down a two-and-a-half year sentence to both women and suspended each one on a number of conditions.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Galtymore Drive
- Oranmore Road
Topics
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