Keep up with Armagh i

Suspended prison term for woman who falsely claimed £77,000 benefits

Bessbrook woman failed to declare capital

Newry courthouse police

A county Armagh woman has been given a suspended prison sentence for falsely claiming more than £77,000 in benefits.

Elizabeth Reilly (42) of Brookview Close, Bessbrook, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court earlier today (Tuesday).

She was convicted for claiming £77,202 benefits she was not entitled to.

The court heard how Reilly claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £77,202 while failing to declare capital.

She was given a 15 month prison sentence suspended for two years.

The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department.

Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the Department for Communities anonymously.

Find out more at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/benefit-fraud

Read more: Former Employment Minister Danny Kennedy claiming jobseekers after election loss

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Most read today

NEWRY – SHOP LOCAL

More in Bessbrook