Young mother accused of faking own death 

Amy McCauley faces claims she had registered her date of death as December 26, 2022, and had obtained death certificates in the Irish and English versions of her name

Amy McCauley leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice  on Parkgate Street in Dublin after she appeared before the District Court; she is accused of faking her own death. Picture: Paddy Cummins

A mother has been accused of faking her own death, using bogus medical reports in Dublin and Wexford and living under a new name following a "complex" investigation.

Amy McCauley, 33, was allegedly gone but not forgotten by the detective unit at Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin.

The mother of one, with an address at Connagh, Fethard-On-Sea, Co Wexford, appeared before Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

She faces seven charges and claims that she had registered her date of death as December 26, 2022, and had obtained death certificates in the Irish and English versions of her name.

She is accused of one theft and six offences for using false instruments to induce another person to accept them as genuine and, by reason of so accepting them, to do some act, or to make some omission, or to provide some service.

She allegedly used a false medical certificate from a doctor in the name of Amy McAuley on May 8, 2022, at Pearse Street Garda station.

She is accused of using a false death notification form in the name of Amy McAuley on January 19, 2023, at Wexford Co Council and in the name of Amy Nic Amhlaoibh at the Civil Registration Service at Mill Yard Lane, in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, on February 23, 2023.

She allegedly used a bogus Panda recycling receipt from a business on July 16, 2020, at Three Ireland, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, and stole nine mobile phones worth €3,199 from the telecom firm on the same date.

Fake medical report

She is charged with using a fake medical report from the Rotunda Hospital on November 23 last year.

Detective Garda Des Rogers gave evidence that he arrested Ms McCauley in Fethard-On-Sea at 8.30 am on Friday. She was brought to Pearse Street station and detained.

He said: "She made no reply to each charge after caution."

The visibly upset woman had been held overnight until her court hearing; she remained silent throughout the proceedings and was not required to give evidence.

Detective Garda Rogers objected to bail due to the possibility of flight risk.

He alleged Ms McCauley let on to be her own sister to have herself declared dead on December 26.

A death certificate was issued, and there was also a death notice, the court heard.

The judge heard claims that she was also declared dead under the Irish version of her name, married and moved to Wexford, living under a different name.

The death notice of Amy McCauley which was posted on RIP.ie in late December 2022. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk

Detective Garda Rogers told the contested bail hearing that Ms McCauley was accused of using forging documents.

The court heard she had allegedly used a different name and contacted various agencies as her sister about the death.

Detective Garda Rogers expected "more serious charges".

Defence solicitor Conor McGreevy pleaded for bail and asked the court to note his client had a young child.

He submitted that the case was "a quite complex matter"; a direction for trial on indictment was expected.

The solicitor acknowledged that the court would have some concerns about evading justice based on the nature of the allegations.

He also said there were "unique circumstances in relation to death certificates".

However, he pointed out that Ms McCauley had surrendered her travel documents and would undertake not to apply for replacements. She still enjoyed the presumption of innocence and had a stable family and support.

Bail granted on €500 bond

Mr McGreevy said that if she faces trial on indictment in a higher court, refusing bail would lead to a lengthy remand period.

It would also be difficult for her family life.

Mr McGreevy urged the judge not to resile from the fundamental presumption of innocence and to release her under "stringent" terms.

Judge Smyth granted bail with a €500 bond and ordered Ms McCauley, who is yet to indicate a plea, to sign on daily at her local garda station, provide gardaí with a phone contact number, notify of any address change, andundertake not to apply for new travel documents.

She must appear again on July 6 for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Legal aid was granted after the judge was handed a statement of her means, and her solicitor said she was "not a woman of any means", before she departed, on bail.