Courts / Dublin / Report

Community Service for €18k social welfare fraud

Date
2024-12-16

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Swords

County
Dublin

Summary

Maria Stefan, 33, pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming €18,045.60 in one‑parent and rental allowances between December 2017 and December 2018. She had previously lived at Thomas Moore Road, West Dublin, but was seen at an Ashton Drive house in Swords where her then‑partner lived. An investigation began after a welfare inspector noticed inconsistencies in February 2021. A search of the Ashton Drive house on 4 June 2021 found a letter addressed to Stefan and other items, and evidence that she used the address online 54 times. Stefan admitted the online account was hers and that she sent the messages. She has 10 prior convictions, including theft and burglary. Judge Orla Crowe directed her to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑year, three‑month prison term and to engage with probation services for one year.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Community Service for €18k social welfare fraud. Charges or matters: the theft of the one parent allowance and rental allowance on dates between December 2, 2017 and December 10, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 2, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
December 10, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
June 4, 2021 Incident
2024-12-16 Publication

Case subjects

Maria Stefan

Defendant

Charges: the theft of the one parent allowance and rental allowance on dates between December 2, 2017 and December 10, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said his client is willing to pay €50 a week to repay the money or to undertake community service, if deemed appropriate. Judge Orla Crowe today directed that Stefan, of Warrenstown Park, Mulhuddart, complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of two years and three months in prison.