Irish woman who claimed €12k benefits found working full-time in McDonald's

An Irish woman who was found to be working full-time in McDonald's while claiming Jobseeker's Allowance has been ordered to appear in court.

The case of Ann Gibson, with an address at Thorndale, Letterkenny, was before Letterkenny District Court.

Gibson was not present when the case was mentioned.

A social welfare inspector told the court that the woman applied online for Jobseeker's Allowance and was paid between December 2021-December 2022 and from January-April 2023.

The inspector informed the court that Gibson advised officers that she was working part-time in another restaurant.

The matter was referred to the special investigations unit as Gibson's employment had closed. The investigator said it appeared that Gibson was working at McDonald's from January 2022 and she failed to notify the Department of Social Welfare.

Copies of contracts and payslips were obtained, which confirmed that she was working full-time.

Gibson did not attend for a caution interview in May 2023 and said she was ill. The interview was rescheduled and again she failed to appear, but this time did not make contact.

The investigator said the overpayment to Gibson was in the amount of €12,119.32. Gibson, the inspector added, is not making repayments and is not in contact with the Department.

“She talked to me in court the last time and said that she would do something, but she hasn't,” the inspector said, adding that there has been nil repayments.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham has accepted jurisdiction in the case and adjourned the matter until September 3.

“Suffice to say, she will need to be in court,” Judge Cunningham told Gibson's solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher.