Samantha Cookes (36) remanded in custody after pleading guilty to deception and theft of more than €60,000
Samantha Cookes remanded in custody after pleading guilty to deception and theft of more than €60,000
Samantha Cookes last week pleaded guilty at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee to two counts of deception and 16 sample theft charges. The total involved was €60,334.35. She claimed the disease was life-limiting and would prove terminal, but she was unable to see a neurologist because of Covid-19 restrictions.Mr Rice said Cookes accused the department of “major discrimination” when it sought certification of her illness. She wrote letters of complaint saying she was no longer able to hold a pen and could not access support because of pandemic rules.
Defence barrister Richard Liston said to Garda Ray Liston that “Covid times enabled a deception such as this to take place and go on for as long as it did”. Garda Liston agreed.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Department of Social Protection Defends Plan to Increase Office Days for EmployeesThe Department of Social Protection is implementing a new policy requiring employees to work more days in the office, sparking debate and resistance from the Fórsa trade union. The department argues the changes are 'reasonable' and aligned with other government departments, while the union contends that the policy was introduced without consultation and threatens employee well-being.
Read more »
Irish Department of Social Protection Backtracks on Remote Working Policy After Union ProtestThe Department of Social Protection in Ireland faced pushback from Fórsa, the country's largest public service trade union, over plans to reduce remote working arrangements. The department had announced that staff would be required to spend a minimum of two days per week in the office, but Fórsa threatened industrial action to protect its members who preferred to continue working remotely.
Read more »
Department of Social Protection to Mandate Three Days a Week in the Office for Senior StaffThe Department of Social Protection (DSP) in Ireland has announced a new policy requiring senior staff at principal officer level and above to work from the office three days per week. This change, which will affect approximately 1,000 staff, has been met with mixed reactions from employees and unions.
Read more »
Social Welfare Department Spent €126.51 Million on IT Contractors in Two YearsThe Department of Social Protection paid €126.51 million to four of its largest information technology service providers over a two-year period, a revelation that is likely to fuel renewed debate about the amount of taxpayers' money spent on consultants.
Read more »
Civil Service remote working: how often do you work in the office? Have you been asked to come in more frequently?Fórsa says Department of Social Protection staff and some staff in Department of Finance have been instructed to increase number of office workdays
Read more »
Social Welfare Payments Moved Up Due to St. Brigid's Day Bank HolidayThe Department of Social Protection has announced that social welfare payments scheduled for Monday, February 3rd, will be issued on Friday, January 31st, due to the St. Brigid's Day bank holiday. Payments will resume their normal schedule on Tuesday, February 4th. The department also reminds recipients about the holiday's potential impact on Child Benefit and the New Baby Grant, both of which are typically paid on the first Tuesday of the month. Additionally, the department addresses potential delays in payment collection due to post office closures caused by Storm Éowyn and offers assistance to those experiencing financial hardship.
Read more »