Woman fraudulently claimed one-parent payments at Bundoran post office

A woman who fraudulently claimed over €9,000 in social welfare payments in Bundoran has appeared in court.

Svitlana Karabudak appeared at Donegal Circuit Court, where the 49-year-old pleaded guilty to two sample charges when she was formally arraigned before Judge John Aylmer.

In total, Karabudak has been charged with 42 offences, including 16 of theft, 13 of deception and 13 of forgery.

Karabudak, who was aided by an interpreter in court, spoke only to plead guilty.

Karabudak pleaded guilty to one count of theft, contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. The charge was that, on March 16, 2023 at Post Office, West End, Bundoran, that she did steal property to wit €304 being a Department of Social Protection one-parent family payment being the property of the Department of Social Protection.

The accused woman also pleaded guilty to a charge of making gain or causing loss by deception, contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

She was charged that, on March 16, 2023, at Post Office, West End, Bundoran, did dishonestly induce a post office clerk to do an act, to wit, pay her a Department of Social Protection one-parent family payment in the amount of €304, in the name of Liudmyla Rahimovawith, with the intention of making a gain for herself and causing loss to another.

Ms Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the State, told the court that these were without prejudice pleas.

The 13 forgery charges relate to the use of a false instrument, namely a social welfare docket in the name Liudmyla Rahimovawith with the intention that it be used to induce another person to accept it as genuine and thus to pay out the Social Welfare payment.

Barrister for Karabudak, Mr Sean McGee BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien, said that his client is a 49-year-old Ukrainian national and asked that sentencing be adjourned to the next session of the court. 

Mr McGee indicated that there was ongoing payments back and asked that a probation and welfare report be prepared in the matter.

Judge Aylmer agreed and adjourned the case to the next term of Donegal Circuit Court.