A mother-of-three fraudulently claimed almost €30,000 in social welfare payments after failing to declare that she was married.
Emma Dunne, with an address of c/o P Ferguson and Sons Ltd, Grove Service Station, Bridgend, admitted three separate charges at Carndonagh District Court.
The court heard how the 34-year-old had falsely claimed that she was single, resulting in an overpayment of €29,976 over a four-year period.
Mr Morgan Mooney, a special investigator with the Department of Social Protection, gave evidence in the case.
He explained how the prosecution related to the Working Family Payment scheme, which is paid to qualifying lower-income families.
“It’s a scheme where the household income has to be declared, but in this case it wasn’t,” Mr Mooney said.
“The circumstances were such that she was married, but she declared as single – and the husband’s earnings hadn’t
been included.”
“An overpayment arose as a result of her being paid at the wrong rate because of false declarations.”
Mr Mooney added: “The question was ‘What is your current relationship status?’ and the answer was put down as ‘Single’ on two separate occasions.”
The court heard how the Working Family Payment was paid to Ms Dunne at the incorrect rate from July 4, 2019 until June 7, 2023.
State Solicitor Mr Kieran Dillon said her failure to notify the Department during that period resulted in an overpayment of €29,976.
The court was told that Ms Dunne has been making efforts to repay the debt, and has increased her repayments by standing order from €30 to €60 per week.
Currently, €28,984 is still outstanding on the debt, however.
Judge Ciaran Liddy asked Mr Mooney whether the Department also has its own means of recovering the debt.
“We do,” he replied.
Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian said his client is a 34-year-old lady with three young children, and she has no previous convictions.
He said she has acknowledged her wrongdoing and is attempting to make amends.
“This was financially driven,” Mr Dorrian said. “It was driven by necessity, and she has now increased the repayments to €60 per week. She works part-time, and it’s a very significant gesture on her part.”
Mr Dorrian said Ms Dunne is still on the same benefit, indicating her lower-income status.
Judge Liddy fined her €350 on the first summons, dated July 4, 2019, taking the other two “into account”.
He gave Ms Dunne credit for having no previous convictions, cooperating fully with the authorities, and for making ongoing repayments.
Legal Aid was granted in the case.