Courts / Dublin / Report
82-year-old falsely claimed €200k in social welfare payments
Summary
Mary Cullen, an 82-year-old woman from Portland Row, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 30 sample counts of falsely claiming social welfare, using false instruments, and possession of false instruments between 1987 and 2015. The charges relate to her claiming over €206,000 in social welfare payments using the identity of her partner's deceased wife, Mary Rose Hart. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year suspended sentence. The judge noted that while the offence was reprehensible, he could not in good conscience jail an 82-year-old, stating that if Cullen were 20 years younger, she would likely face prison. He also remarked that he did not believe the Court of Appeal would overturn the suspended sentence if the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed it as too lenient. Cullen's defence counsel, Luigi Rea BL, cited her hard life and work history in mitigation. Garda Enda Connolly testified that he was asked to investigate suspicions of identity fraud and observed Cullen claiming payments under both her own name and the deceased's name. Cullen admitted to using the false identity at her partner's suggestion and stated she gave the extra money to him and later to a relative. The Department of Social Protection has since reduced her pension payments by €35 a week.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 82-year-old falsely claimed €200k in social welfare payments. Charges or matters: 30 sample counts of falsely claiming social welfare, using false instruments and possession of false instruments between 1987 and 2015 in Dublin. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 1987 and 2015 Other
- 2016-06-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 30 sample counts of falsely claiming social welfare, using false instruments and possession of false instruments between 1987 and 2015 in Dublin (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: An 82 year old woman has received a suspended sentence for claiming over €200,000 in social welfare payments using the name of a dead woman. Judge Nolan imposed a three-year suspended sentence and noted that if Cullen was 20 years younger she would probably be facing prison.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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