Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 13649Theft, deception and forgery (social welfare fraud) · Co. Donegal

Woman used friend's card to defraud €21,000 in social welfare benefits from Bundoran Post Office

Svitlana Karabudak, a 49-year-old woman, used a friend's public services card to claim over €21,000 in social welfare benefits from Bundoran Post Office in Donegal between March 2023 and March 2024. Gardaí searched her address on 18 March 2024 and she was charged with 42 offences. She pleaded guilty to seven sample charges in the Circuit Court, and the case was adjourned for 12 months on a repayment plan. As of the 23 May 2025 court report, she had repaid €3,556 and no sentence had been imposed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Svitlana Karabudak, a 49-year-old woman, fraudulently claimed over €21,000 in social welfare benefits.
Cause
She used a friend's public services card, the friend having returned to Ukraine, to claim one parent family, child and back to school payments.
Where
The payments were collected at Bundoran Post Office in Donegal.
When
The fraudulent claims were made from March 2023 to March 2024.
Investigation
  • A Social Welfare special investigations unit inspector alerted gardaí.
  • Gardaí executed a search warrant at her address on 18 March 2024 and seized €4,100 in cash from her bedroom.
Charges
She was charged with 42 offences, including 16 of theft, 13 of deception and 13 of forgery.
In court
  • She pleaded guilty to seven sample charges in the Circuit Court.
  • The case was adjourned for 12 months on a repayment plan.
Sentence
The key facts say the judge indicated a custodial sentence starting at two years on each count before mitigation, but the court report says no sentence was imposed.
Other details
  • The total loss to the exchequer was €21,416 over one year.
  • She set up a repayment plan of €100 per week and has repaid €3,556 so far.
  • A probation and welfare report assessed her as a low risk of reoffending and suitable for community service.
  • She was warned that she could face prison if she does not repay the money in full.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman fraudulently claimed over €21,000 in social welfare benefits. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatShe used her friend's public services card to claim payments. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe payments were collected at Bundoran Post Office. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe fraudulent claims were made over one year, from March 2023 to March 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were alerted by a Social Welfare special investigations unit inspector. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí executed a search warrant at her address on 18 March 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationOfficers seized €4,100 in cash from her bedroom. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with 42 offences, including 16 of theft, 13 of deception and 13 of forgery. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtShe pleaded guilty to seven sample charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned for one year. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said the offending would merit a custodial sentence with a starting point of two years on each count before mitigation. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe total loss to the exchequer was €21,416 over one year. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherShe has set up a repayment plan of €100 per week and has repaid €3,556 so far. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA probation and welfare report assessed her as a low risk of reoffending and suitable for community service. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 May2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Woman used friend's card to defraud €21,000 in benefits from Donegal post office

    Court report on a guilty plea by a 49-year-old woman who was charged with 42 offences. The case was adjourned for 12 months on a repayment plan, with no sentence imposed. Offences ran from March 2023 to March 2024 and the total loss was €21,416.

    accused, Svitlana Karabudak, 49, female, namedSvitlana Karabudak