Former Newstalk adviser avoids jail term for life insurance scam

Broker pleads guilty to fraud and gets suspended sentence and community work

The Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin, where Clare Dooley appeared. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
The Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin, where Clare Dooley appeared. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

A Meath insurance broker who carried out a €109,000 life insurance fraud has been given a four-year suspended sentence and ordered to perform unpaid work in the community.

Clare Dooley (43), committed the offences following a failed business venture in 2011. She took out 38 fictitious policies in order to be paid commission totalling €109,000. The insurance company has since been repaid the money and nobody is at a loss.

Between 2011 and 2014 Dooley was an on-air financial adviser on Newstalk’s Global Village show.

Dooley, of Hillcrest, Julianstown, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of making and using false declaration forms at New Ireland Assurance plc, Dawson Street, Dublin and in the State between November 23rd, 2010 and September 27th, 2011. She has no previous convictions.

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Judge Desmond Hogan noted Dooley’s reputation had been “sullied to a considerable extent” and she was unlikely to come before the courts again.