Courts / Dublin / Report
Solicitor jailed over €120k social welfare fraud
Summary
Herbert Kilcline, a 60‑year‑old solicitor, was found guilty of fraudulently claiming over €120,000 in social welfare payments between 1996 and 2010. He admitted that he had been excluded from the Thalidomide compensation scheme and believed he was entitled to disability allowance payments, despite having been legally granted the allowance and failing to report changes in his income. Kilcline cooperated with Gardaí, surrendered documentation, and repaid the full amount of €129,293. Judge Karen O'Connor, noting the long period of offending, premeditation, and significant loss to the exchequer, imposed a three‑year sentence with one year and three months suspended. The court acknowledged Kilcline's remorse, cooperation, and low risk of reoffending, and highlighted his ongoing physical and psychological difficulties stemming from Thalidomide. The sentencing was deferred by one week to allow Kilcline to settle his affairs.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Solicitor jailed over €120k social welfare fraud. Charges or matters: obtaining disability allowance on false pretences on dates between 1996 and 2001 and making a gain by deception in relation to social welfare payments on dates between 2004 and 2010. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1996 and 2001 Other
- 2004 and 2010 Other
- 1996 to 2012 Other
- 2021-05-06 Publication
Why: Herbert Kilcline (60) told gardaí after the fraud came to light that he felt he was entitled to the payments because he had been excluded from compensatory payments made to victims of birth defects caused by the Thalidomide drug. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: obtaining disability allowance on false pretences on dates between 1996 and 2001 and making a gain by deception in relation to social welfare payments on dates between 2004 and 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She indicated a three-year sentence with the final one year and three months suspended. Defence counsel asked Judge O'Connor to defer sentence for one week to allow Kilcline to put his affairs in order.
Places mentioned
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