Woman charged over €4.5m alleged pharmacy fraud

A pensioner appeared before Clonakilty District Court in west Cork on Tuesday charged in connection with falsifying patient medical records at two pharmacies in order to make a gain of in excess of €4.5 million from the HSE.

Christine Crowley (71) of Main Street in Drimoleague, Co Cork, was charged with 173 counts of deception and false accounting at two pharmacies. She is accused of allegedly falsifying patient accounts for accounting proposes with the intention of making a gain from the HSE.

She was charged with the offences contrary to sections six and 10 of the Criminal Justice and Fraud Offences Act 2001.

She was brought from Garda custody to Clonakilty District Court having been arrested in connection with the alleged offences.

The alleged offences occurred at dates between 2004 and 2009 at Crowley's and Kerr's pharmacies in Dunmanway.

Ms Crowley was granted bail by Judge James McNulty on her own bond of €10,000 with one surety in the sum of €20,000. The court approved her husband John Crowley as an independent surety.

Ms Crowley gave an undertaking to the court to keep the peace and be of good behaviour until her next court appearance. She also agreed not to have contact with anyone connected with the investigation. She was also ordered not to contact any of the named individuals on the charge sheet.

The case was adjourned to allow for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Ms Crowley will appear before Clonakilty District Court again on September 20th.