‘Couple took €72k in social welfare fraud,’ court is told

A GRANDMOTHER was working under an assumed name while she and her husband fraudulently claimed over €72,000 in social welfare payments, a court has heard.

Edward, 61, and Annette, 56, McCluskey, Pearse House, Dublin, collected €72,482 of dependent allowance payments for 11 years.

Garda Ian Abbey said Annette McCluskey later revealed she took on work as a cleaner and home helper under another name because of her husband’s alcohol issues and her debts to money lenders.

Annette, also known as Anna, McCluskey pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three representative counts of stealing adult dependent allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs at Pearse Street Post Office, between July 2004 and March 2013.

She also pleaded guilty to using a PPS number in the name of Jacqueline Hayden at SIPTU College, Canal House, South Circular Road, Dublin on July 15, 2005.

Edward McCluskey pleaded guilty to sample counts of stealing adult dependent allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs also at Pearse Street Post Office on dates between July 2004 and March 2012.

He further pleaded guilty to concealing at the Social Welfare Office, Tara Street, Dublin on June 21, 2005 that Annette McCluskey was employed. Judge O’Connor remanded the couple on continuing bail until next February.