Pensioner in court on €4.5m HSE fraud charges

A DRIMOLEAGUE pensioner appeared before Clonakilty District Court in West Cork this week, charged in connection with falsifying patient medical records at two pharmacies in order to make a gain of in excess of €4.5m from the HSE. 

Christine Crowley (71) was charged with 173 counts of deception and false accounting at two pharmacies in the county. 

Mrs Crowley of Main Street in Drimoleague is accused of allegedly falsifying patient accounts for accounting proposes, with the intention of making a gain from the HSE. 

She was charged with the offences, contrary to the Criminal Justice and Fraud Offences Act 2001.

Mrs Crowley was brought from Garda custody to Clonakilty District Court yesterday having been arrested in connection with the alleged offences. 

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by note to Judge James McNulty. 

The alleged offences occurred at dates between 2004 and 2009 at Crowley’s and Kerr’s pharmacies in Dunmanway. Solicitor Ray Hennessy applied for bail.

Mrs Crowley was granted bail on her own bond of €10,000 with one surety of €20,000. The court approved her husband John Crowley as an independent surety. Mrs Crowley gave an undertaking to the court to keep the peace and be of good behaviour until her next court appearance.

Mrs Crowley also agreed not to have contact with anyone connected with the investigation. She was also ordered not to contact any of the named individuals on the charge sheet. 

The case was adjourned to allow for the preparation of a Book of Evidence.

Mrs Crowley will appear before Clonakilty District Court again on September 20th.