Ireland Woman sentenced at Dundalk Circuit Court for €180k social welfare fraud
Philomena Morrissey, a 68-year-old woman, pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court to 13 offences of social welfare fraud after being initially charged with 64 counts. She made false claims of almost €180,000 between November 2006 and July 2019 while living in Armagh and using a Louth address. The court imposed concurrent sentences of two years and eight months, with the final 23 months suspended, and placed her under Probation Service supervision for 12 months after release. The latest development, reported on 15 May 2024, is that almost €40,000 has been repaid and just under €137,000 remains outstanding.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced15 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 68-year-old woman falsely claimed almost €180,000 in social welfare payments.
- Where
- She used a Louth address to make the claims while living in Armagh.
- Sources differ on her home: one gives Crossmaglen, the other gives Carrigeen, Cappoquin, County Waterford.
- When
- The false claims were made between November 2006 and July 2019.
- Cause
- The court heard that after her marriage broke up she used her maiden name and a Louth address to make the claims.
- Charges
- She was initially charged with 64 counts, including 59 of theft, one of deception and four of making a false statement.
- In court
- She pleaded guilty to 13 offences at Dundalk Circuit Court.
- The judge noted just under 13 years of offending and described the fraud as of epic proportions.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed concurrent sentences of two years and eight months, with the final 23 months suspended on her entering a bond to be of good behaviour.
- She was placed under Probation Service supervision for 12 months after release.
- Other details
- She had no previous convictions.
- A Probation report found her unsuitable for community service due to anxiety, depression and medical issues.
- Almost €40,000 has been repaid and just under €137,000 remains outstanding.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA 68-year-old Crossmaglen woman falsely claimed almost €180,000 in social welfare payments. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereShe used an address in Louth to make the claims while living in Armagh. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe false claims were made between November 2006 and July 2019. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeShe was initially charged with 64 counts. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtShe pleaded guilty to 13 offences. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge noted just under 13 years of offending and said the fraud was of epic proportions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed concurrent sentences of two years and eight months in each case. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe final 23 months were suspended on her entering a bond to be of good behaviour. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceShe was placed under Probation Service supervision for 12 months after release. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherShe had no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherA Probation report found her unsuitable for community service due to anxiety, depression and medical issues. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherAlmost €40,000 had been repaid and just under €137,000 remains outstanding. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 May2024Dundalk Court: Woman falsely claimed almost €180k in social welfare
Reports the sentencing at Dundalk Circuit Court: concurrent sentences, part suspended, Probation supervision, and the amount repaid and outstanding.
convicted, Philomena Morrissey, 68, female, named, irish (judged from name)Philomena Morrissey