It’s time to crack down on bogus claims

THAT many people make bogus insurance claims is not in doubt. That some would seek to make a career out of it is nothing short of criminal. For it is we, the law-abiding citizens of this State, who must shoulder the cost of their shameful scamming.

The example of Dublin undertaker Peter Slattery is an epic case in point. Last week, it was revealed Slattery and three accomplices had systematically orchestrated accidents. In his reserved judgment at the Circuit Court, Judge Raymond Groarke named 16 people who made claims – five of whom were known to Slattery, and three of whom were known to his girlfriend, Belinda McLoughlin. One of them, Mandy Dutton, insists she was the victim of an elaborate set-up.

Those forced to spend a fortune on insurance premiums will have nothing but contempt for such dishonesty. However, we must also recognise that such people can only operate in a system that is structurally inadequate to prevent such shocking examples of barefaced fraud. Not only should the Government resolve to crack down on those who use and abuse this system. It needs to radically overhaul it so that potential fraudsters will think twice before plying their odious trade.

Where, for example, is the so-called ‘swindlers’ list’ – that database of fraudulent insurance claims mooted by the Government at the beginning of the year? Surely that is the very least we can expect to combat an immoral scourge that, in the case of Slattery, risked the death of innocent people for nothing but easy money.

If, however, they are serious about smashing this criminal culture, why not impose severe financial penalties and the real prospect of jail for those who would happily scam at our expense?