Courts / Dublin / Report
Pensioner who fraudulently collected brother's pension for years avoids jail
Summary
Albert Monahan, aged 73, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of theft and one count of producing a false instrument. He had fraudulently collected his brother Peter's State pension for seven years, receiving 356 weekly payments of €219, totalling €77,964. Monahan had assumed his brother's identity, forging a signature to apply for the pension and collecting it at Berkeley Road Post Office. He claimed the money was used to install new bay windows, new floors and to stock his fridge with food. The judge, Melanie Greally, suspended a four‑year sentence in full, citing Monahan's poor health, including several heart attacks and triple bypass surgery. Monahan admitted the fraud immediately and expressed remorse, offering to repay the Department of Social Protection by deduction from his legitimate social welfare payments.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pensioner who fraudulently collected brother's pension for years avoids jail. Charges or matters: four sample counts of theft at Berkeley Road Post Office, Phibsborough, on dates between November 2007 and October 2014, and one count of producing a false instrument. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-10-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four sample counts of theft at Berkeley Road Post Office, Phibsborough, on dates between November 2007 and October 2014, and one count of producing a false instrument (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Suspending a four year sentence in full, Judge Melanie Greally told Monahan she would have imprisoned him were it not for his poor health. Asking Judge Greally to consider not imposing a custodial sentence, Mr Spencer said that Monahan had suffered several heart attacks and had undergone triple bypass surgery.
Places mentioned
- Carnlough Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Berkeley Road
- agreed to visit Mountjoy Garda Station
- Mountjoy
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request