Courts / Kerry / Report

Kerry woman stole €56k by continuing to draw dead mother's pension

Summary

Tracy Kelliher, 49, of Tralee, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft for withdrawing €56,217 from her deceased mother's Department of Education pension between 2014 and 2016. Her mother, a retired teacher, died in January 2014, but Kelliher failed to inform the Department, allowing the pension to continue until June 2016. The judge noted that Kelliher had previously withdrawn money with her mother's consent for funeral costs and that she had no lavish lifestyle or other income. Kelliher had no prior convictions and was described as a pro‑social person who expressed remorse. The court directed her to complete 120 hours of community service within one year, imposed concurrent 18‑month sentences suspended for three years on strict conditions, and required her to be supervised by Probation Services for six months. The order was intended to allow her to repay some value to the community and to address her financial difficulties.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kerry woman stole €56k by continuing to draw dead mother's pension. Charges or matters: three sample counts of theft on dates between 2014 and 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 2016 Other
• 2014 and 2016 Other
• 2025-02-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report