Courts / Dublin / Report

No jail for Revenue worker over tax refund scam for ex boyfriend

Date
2022-01-20
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A former Revenue employee received a fully suspended eighteen-month sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for her role in generating fraudulent tax refunds. Linda Kinsella, aged 38, pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly inducing a gain by deception and one count of using a false instrument at Revenue offices on Belgard Road, Dublin 24, between December 2013 and June 2015. She created false tax returns totalling over €8,000 for her ex-boyfriend Eric Maher and his twin brother Brian Maher. Both men also received suspended eighteen-month sentences after pleading guilty to stealing from the Revenue Commission. Eric Maher obtained €1,921.95 while Brian Maher, with an address in Charlestown Shopping Centre, Finglas, obtained €6,121.45. Judge Martin Nolan noted Kinsella was the "vital cog" in the scheme, though the brothers had imposed upon her to some degree. All three accused have since repaid the money in full. Kinsella lost her job following the investigation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: No jail for Revenue worker over tax refund scam for ex boyfriend. Charges or matters: dishonestly inducing a gain by deception; using a false instrument; stealing the property of the Revenue Commission. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Brian Maher

Accused

Charges: stealing the property of the Revenue Commission (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Kinsella, Eric Maher and Brian Maher to 18 months imprisonment but suspended all of the sentences in their entirety on strict conditions.

Eric Maher

Accused

Charges: stealing the property of the Revenue Commission (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Kinsella, Eric Maher and Brian Maher to 18 months imprisonment but suspended all of the sentences in their entirety on strict conditions.

Linda Kinsella

Accused

Charges: dishonestly inducing a gain by deception; using a false instrument (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Kinsella, Eric Maher and Brian Maher to 18 months imprisonment but suspended all of the sentences in their entirety on strict conditions.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Belgard Road
  • Cabra Road
Secondary Mention

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence Theft

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