Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman who claimed dead partner's pension for years avoids jail
Summary
Geraldine Doyle, aged 63, was sentenced to a suspended three‑and‑a‑half‑year term after pleading guilty to four counts of theft from the Department of Social Protection. She had claimed her deceased partner's €200 weekly pension for four years, from 2012 to 2016, after his death was not registered. The total amount stolen was €44,652. Doyle also received other social welfare payments, including rent allowance. She has no prior convictions. Doyle repaid €10,000 and agreed to pay €150 a week to clear the remaining debt. The judge noted her remorse, health issues and efforts to repay the state, and therefore imposed a suspended sentence rather than imprisonment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman who claimed dead partner's pension for years avoids jail. Charges or matters: four sample counts of theft from the Department of Social Protection between October 5, 2012 and July 14, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 5, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 14, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-10-15 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four sample counts of theft from the Department of Social Protection between October 5, 2012 and July 14, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He noted this was a white collar crime, that Doyle was remorseful and making good efforts to repay the state. "It would be unjust to imprison her," he said, handing down a three-and-a-half year suspended sentence. Doyle wiped away tears as the sentence was handed down.
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