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Court hears of family's multigenerational insurance fraud

Summary

Patrick Lawrence (54) was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to deception and attempted deception between 2013 and 2018. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-year prison term, acknowledging Lawrence's medical and mental health issues but deeming the conduct serious wrongdoing. His wife, Eileen Lawrence (52), also pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception between 2010 and 2016. The judge noted her significant involvement but cited her role as a primary carer for a son with additional needs as a factor against immediate imprisonment. The matter was adjourned, with Judge Nolan indicating he would reflect over the weekend before imposing a sentence on Tuesday. The court heard that the couple used false identities to pursue personal injury claims, resulting in payouts of €9,370 and €15,000 respectively. Their mother-in-law, Winnifred Lawrence (74), was jailed last year for three and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended, for similar claims between 2012 and 2014. She fraudulently received €23,150. The investigation was triggered when a private investigator photographed the family attending medical appointments under false names.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court hears of family's multigenerational insurance fraud. Charges or matters: deception and attempted deception on dates between 2013 and 2018; deception and attempted deception on dates between 2010 and 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 2010 and 2016 Other
• 2012 and 2014 Other
• 2013 and 2018 Other
• 2025-03-14 Publication

Why: The defendants instructed solicitors, attended doctors and swore affidavits using the false identities in order to pursue the claims. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report