Judge says no to mum on €55k benefits posting bail

A MOTHER agreed in court yesterday she would have to earn a pre-tax income of €120,000 a year to make the amount she receives in State benefits.

At Kilrush District Court in Clare, Judge Patrick Durcan calculated mother of four Mary Maughan receives €55,000 a year on various benefits.

He said: “If you were paying tax and all of that, you would need an income of €120,000 a year.”

In reply Ms Maughan said: “Probably.”

Solicitor Tara Godfrey said the payments are required for the care of six children.

Ms Maughan appeared at the court as a bails person for her 26-year-old brother, Darren Maughan.

He is currently on remand in prison but requires an independent surety for his conditional release on bail.

Solicitor for Mr Maughan, Tara Godfrey yesterday provided to the court details of the social welfare payments that Ms Maughan receives.

However, Judge Durcan rejected her application to provide the independent surety.

He said Ms Maughan is clearly burdened by huge responsibility and “it seems to me inappropriate she should be burdened with the danger of losing any of that money”.

He remanded Mr Maughan in custody with consent to bail to appear at Ennis District Court today.