Case adjourned as Letterkenny woman who defrauded State awaits inheritance

The case of a woman who defrauded the State of almost €70,000 has been adjourned after Letterkenny Circuit Court heard she is awaiting inheritance money from a late uncle.

Shauna Tynan, 56, defrauded the State after claiming her late father's pension for three year's after his death.

The case has been ongoing, but Judge John Aylmer was told the case is showing progress with regard to gathering the outstanding money owed.

Barrister for Tynan, Ms Patricia McCallum BL, told the court that her client is seeking to put the sum of €34,000 together to bring to court.

Ms McCallum said she had seen correspondence by letter about the inheritance saying there will be sufficient money with regard to paying back the money owed.

Judge Aylmer said he was satisfied with the progress and adjourned the case until October 29, 2024. 

Tynan, of Slieve Sneacht, Letterkenny, received €32,222 in carer’s allowance and a further €34,265.60 in respect of a State pension following the death of her father in October, 2013.

The sale of a portion of land on Arranmore Island which she was left by her late mother was due to fund a payback of the monies.

In October, Ms McCallum said that there had been an unavoidable delay in selling the land.

Ms McCallum explained that one estate agent directed to sell the land had a conflict of interest while another estate agent encountered a backlog of sales and that it would now be two to three weeks before it could go on the market.

Tynan is currently repaying €25.13 each week and has repaid more than €10,000.

In respect of the carer's allowance Tynan has a balance of more than €21,000 to pay back.

Judge Aylmer previously indicated that he was anxious to deal with the matter by way of a non-custodial sentence, but also warned that he will ‘completely review’ the matter if this is not forthcoming from Tynan.

It then emerged earlier this year at a court sitting in January that Ms Tynan had received an inheritance from a late uncle.