Samantha Cookes has pleaded guilty to stealing over €60,000 from the Department of Social Protection at the Circuit Court in Tralee.
36-year-old Ms Cookes of no fixed abode, falsely claimed she suffered from Huntington’s Disease.
She has previously been known by several different names during her time in Kerry, including Jade O’Sullivan and Carrie Jade Williams.
Ms Cookes admitted to collecting thousands of euro from the state in supplementary and disability allowance payments over a four-year period.
She did this, the court was told, by falsely claiming she had Huntington’s Disease.
Barrister for the prosecution Tom Rice told the court that the total sum involved was €60,334.35.
Ms Cookes was arraigned on two counts of deception, and 16 sample counts of stealing money from the Department of Social Protection.
The first count of deception related to supplementary welfare allowance payments amounting to €17,747 between February 2020 and October 2021.
The second relates to payments collected between September 2021 and July 2024, totalling €40,264, again collected under the false pretence she had Huntington’s Disease.
She also pleaded guilty to 16 sample counts of theft of welfare allowance payments, of between €201 and €289 each.
The case was adjourned for sentencing, and Ms Cookes was remanded in custody.
Legal aid for a counsel and a solicitor was granted at the District Court.
