A Derry mother-of-six and her estranged husband have been given six months to pay back over £77,000 wrongly claimed from the Social Security Agency (SSA) – or face jail.
The RSA has been granted a Confiscation Order to the value of £77,628 against the couple who were jailed last year for benefit fraud.
Michael Cecil Harkin (51), of Glenabbey Street and Donna McCool (47), from Circular Road in Creggan, were jailed for eight and four months respectively in June after admitting of benefit fraud that spanned a 20-year period, starting in 1990.
McCool’s fraud amounted to £76,800 while Harkin’s came to £67,300.
Derry Crown Court has approved a Confiscation Order to the value of £38,814 for the Social Security Agency Financial Investigation Unit against each of them.
McCool had claimed Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance on the grounds that she was a lone parent, was unable to work and had no savings or other source of income.
During the period of her offending she failed to declare she was living with her estranged husband, Michael Harkin.
Harkin had also claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit on the grounds he was a lone parent and had no savings or other source of income.
He also failed to declare that he was living with his estranged wife, Donna McCool.
Both are facing 18 months jail if they do not pay the money by 2 January next year.
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