Portlaoise Court: Laois Care worker tried to con an insurance company
Portlaoise Courthouse
A CARE WORKER who knowingly submitted a fraudulent application form in an attempt to obtain cheaper car insurance came before Portlaoise District Court last week.
Katrezyna Grabowska O'Brien, Clondeglass House, Clondeglass, Lacca, Mountrath pleaded guilty to using a false instrument, which was proof of a no claims bonus from Liberty Insurance from her address on 2 August.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that 42-year-old Ms O'Brien took out an insurance policy on a Honda Civic, with the company stating that that she had nine years’ no claims bonus and in doing so received a €992.55 discount, which turned out to be a false declaration on the form.
He said that Liberty Insurance contacted her previous insurer 123.ie, which informed the Liberty that the information she supplied was incorrect and false.
Sgt. Kirby said that when questioned by gardaí, the defendant admitted the offence.
Ms O'Brien's solicitor Brian Duffy said that his client needed a car for her employment. She has asked friends to assist her in raising the money for the insurance, but they were unable to do so.
He said the money she had went on rent and on providing food, which she obtained through the Too Good To Go app.
Judge Susan Fay said: “It was an attempt to defraud Liberty Insurance.”
She went on to direct Ms O'Brien to contribute €900 to the court poor box before 26 June and said if that was done, she would strike out the charge.
