A 33-year-old woman 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, with an address at Connagh, Fethard-On-Sea, Co Wexford, appeared before Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court.
She faces seven charges and claims that she had registered her date of death as 26 December 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.
She allegedly used a false medical certificate from a doctor in the name of Amy McAuley on 8 May 2022, at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin.
She is accused of using a false death notification form in the name of Amy McAuley on 19 January 2023, at Wexford County Council and in the name of Amy Nic Amhlaoibh at the Civil Registration Service at Mill Yard Lane, in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on 23 February 2023.
She allegedly used a bogus Panda recycling receipt from a business on 16 July 2020, at Three Ireland, Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin and stole nine mobile phones worth €3,199 from the telecommunications firm on the same date.
She is charged with using a fake medical report from the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin on 23 November last year.
Detective Garda Des Rogers gave evidence that he arrested Ms McCauley in Fethard-On-Sea at 8.30am on Friday.
She was brought to Pearse Street station and detained.
He said: "She made no reply to each charge after caution."
Det Gda 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 26 December.
A death certificate was issued, and there was also a death notice, the court was told.
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.
Det Gda 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.
Det Gda 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.
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, and undertake not to apply for new travel documents.
Legal aid was granted and the accused must appear again on 6 July for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
