A Derry court has granted the Social Security Agency (SSA) a Confiscation Order to the value of £77,628 against a Derry couple jailed for benefit fraud last year.
Michael Cecil Harkin, 51 and Donna McCool, 47, were jailed for eight and four months respectively in June 2013 after being convicted of benefit fraud spanning a 20-year period starting in 1990.
McCool's total fraud amounted to £76,800 and Harkin's totalled £67,300.
Yesterday saw Derry Crown Court approve a Confiscation Order to the value of £38,814 for the Social Security Agency Financial Investigation Unit against each of them.
Ms 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 that she was living with her estranged husband, Michael Harkin.
Mr Harkin had also claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit on the grounds that 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 McCool and Harkin have been given until January 2, 2015 to pay the money back.
If they fail to do so, they will be jailed for 18 months.
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