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Jail for pensioner who falsely claimed €150k in welfare payments
Summary
Susan Foley, 67, of Ronanstown, Dublin, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining €150,000 in social welfare payments. She deceived the state to receive €75,695.90 of carer's allowance between 2004 and 2010, and €75,185.90 of job seekers allowance between 2010 and 2017, while continuing to claim an invalidity pension. The fraud was uncovered when a higher executive officer noticed identical photographs on two claims. Foley admitted the deception, cooperated with investigators, and entered a repayment arrangement, returning a lump sum of €30,000 from her sister's estate. Judge Martin Nolan noted her long‑term hardship but also her repeated deception, and imposed the 16‑month sentence. She has no prior convictions. The case was prosecuted by Garrett McCormack BL, with defence counsel Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for pensioner who falsely claimed €150k in welfare payments. Charges or matters: dishonestly by deception inducing the payment of €75,695.90 of carer's allowance at Permanent TSB, Ballyfermot, on dates between January 21, 2004 and September 15, 2010; dishonestly by deception inducing the payment of €75,185.90 job seekers allowance at Clondalkin Post Office, on dates between September 16, 2010 and November 28, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 21, 2004 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 15, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 16, 2010 Other
- November 28, 2017 Other
- 2019-10-24 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dishonestly by deception inducing the payment of €75,695.90 of carer's allowance at Permanent TSB, Ballyfermot, on dates between January 21, 2004 and September 15, 2010; dishonestly by deception inducing the payment of €75,185.90 job seekers allowance at Clondalkin Post Office, on dates between September 16, 2010 and November 28, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan noted in mitigation that Foley had made full admissions, co-operated with the investigation and entered into an arrangement to repay the money. Judge Nolan imposed a 16 month sentence.
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