Tyrone woman denies claiming benefits ‘dishonestly’

A Co Tyrone woman, who “dishonestly” claimed state benefit while she had almost £470,000 in a joint bank account, yesterday denied the allegation at Enniskillen Crown Court.

Anne Quinn, aged 71, Corkhill Rd, Eskra, was overpaid pension credit by £44,627.36 from November 2007 and January 2012. She pleaded not guilty to the charge as a jury was sworn in yesterday.

Suzanne Gallagher, prosecuting, said a request had been made to the First Trust Bank for information on a fixed-term deposit account held jointly by the defendant with her sister and uncle.

It was opened on November 2, 2006, for slightly in excess of £456,000 and had a closing balance of £468,525.18. The defendant had £231,772.59 transferred into her name on April 3, 2009.

The cash was transferred to another account on April 7, 2009.

The accused was overpaid by £44,627.36 in pension credit by the Social Security Agency.

An investigator from the Department of Social Development questioned her as to why she failed to tell the department of a change in circumstances .

She was alsoasked why she claimed pension credit when it was means tested.

Quinn admitted signing pension credit forms but did not complete all of them.

She inherited money and had not told the agency because she did not realise pension credit was means-tested.

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