Woman spared conviction after paying back €15,000 in benefits

A Dublin mother, who unlawfully received €15,000 children's allowance payments while she was working in Australia, has been spared a criminal conviction.

Clodagh Logue (42) with an address at Granville Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, had pleaded guilty in a prosecution brought by the Department of Social Protection.

The offence, which is under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, can result in a fine of up to €2,500 and or a six-month sentence.

Recently paid back

Judge John O'Neill heard at Dublin District Court she received €15,618 which she has recently completed paying back. She had also complied with an order made earlier to donate €500 to Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin.

Judge O’Neill struck out the case.

She had been working for a computer company in Ireland but was moved by her employer to their operation in Sydney. She was working in Australia from July 2011 until August 2014.

Her solicitor told the court the money was paid into her account in Dublin and it was “out of sight, out of mind”. She came back just once in the three years.

Her solicitor told the court that when she returned she engaged immediately with the Department of Social Protection.