A FORMER Revenue Commissioners official was yesterday given a two-year suspended sentence after she pleaded guilty to a total of 48 offences which led to a loss to the exchequer of revenue totalling €108,000.
Michelle Twomey (32), Railway View, Lower Kilmona, Grenagh, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to 24 counts of committing deception and 24 counts of dishonestly using her computer while employed by Revenue between December 2001 and March 2005.
Det Garda Michael Horgan, of the Fraud Office in Cork, told Cork Circuit Criminal Court Twomey made a series of false claims on behalf of some 14 individuals and couples while employed as a clerical assistant with the Revenue Commissioners at Sullivan's Quay. She input false expense claims for private pensions, medical expenses and tuition fees and then carried out tax assessments which resulted in the 14 getting tax rebates or having their tax liabilities reduced.
She herself benefited to the tune of €9,000 through reducing her tax liability and most of the others who benefited were family members, relatives or neighbours. None had asked her to make the claims and were not aware that that she was acting illegally.
Det Garda Horgan said the matter came to light in 2005 and the Revenue contacted gardaí who questioned Twomey who had resigned from her post in 2006. Before a charge, Twomey repaid the €108,000 in lost revenue and co-operated fully with the gardaí.
Det Garda Horgan agreed with the defence that the matter had had a devastating effect on Twomey, whose physical and mental health had suffered. She is currently reliant on social welfare to support herself, her two children and husband.