A court has heard how a woman who received over €60,000 in disability allowances, after falsely claiming she suffers from Huntington's Disease, told the Department of Social Protection at one point she was "too unwell to even hold a pen".
Samantha Jade Cookes, 36, of no fixed abode, has pleaded guilty in respect of 18 counts of deception and theft brought against her at Tralee Circuit Court.
The court heard Ms Cookes had claimed in excess of €60,000 in supplementary and disability allowances from the Department of Social Protection over a four-year period.
At today's sentencing hearing, prosecuting barrister Tom Rice told the court that Ms Cookes has made an application on basis she had been "hospitalised with Huntington’s Disease" and "life-limiting epilepsy".
The claim was subsequently granted and a total of €17,747 was paid to Ms Cookes up until October 2021.
The court heard the department then sought documentation pertaining to Ms Cookes claims of illness.
Ms Cookes thus claimed she could not see a neurologist due to Covid restrictions in place at the time, that she was too unwell to hold a pen and that her illness prevented her from filling out a form.
She had also led a respected GP into filling out a form in 2020 saying she had been already diagnosed with the disease and referencing other medical people.
She led the doctor to believe she was struggling to grip things, use the stairs, shower and her balance and coordination were affected.
"On face value, it all looked very plausible, and the disability allowance was awarded," Mr Rice said.
However, the deception quickly unravelled after gardaí, alerted by social protection officers, carried out an investigation and obtained her medical records.
She had failed to turn up for scans and various appointments ordered by her GP, hospital records showed.
She also had not undertaken necessary genetic testing for her supposed condition.
Her bank account showed not only had she received the social protection payments, but had also received €36,250 from the Arts Council, the court was told.
Ms Cookes subsequently claimed a further €40,264 in disability allowances until her arrest in July 2024.
Defence barrister Richard Liston said Ms Cookes wanted to give a formal apology for her actions to the department and the GP she deceived during Covid.
"A snowball of deception became an avalanche," he said. Matters got to such a stage, she found it difficult to go back.
Judge Ronan Munro has adjourned sentencing to 5 March, remanding her in continuing custody.
