Samantha Cookes (36) has pleaded guilty to stealing over €60,000 from the Department of Social Protection. She appeared at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee on Tuesday.
Cookes had falsely claimed she suffered from Huntington’s disease, the Court was told.
Thousands of euro were collected from the State in supplementary and disability allowances over a four-year period.
Tom Rice, barrister for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the sum involved was €60,334.35.
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Ms Cookes, of no fixed abode, has been in custody since last July, the court was told.
In court she answered “guilty” to each of the 18 counts put to her, all involving dishonestly collecting social welfare payments based on her diagnosis of Huntington’s disease.
Ms Cookes has been in custody since her arrest on July 13th.
Judge Ronan Munro remanded her in further custody to Wednesday next for sentencing. Evidence will be given by Garda Ray Liston.
Legal aid for a counsel as well as a solicitor was granted at the District Court.
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