Amy McAuley, 35, who attempted to evade criminal charges by faking her own death, has now been sentenced to three years in prison. McAuley faced charges of theft and attempted deception at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for obtaining a €10,000 loan from KBC Bank in 2018 using altered documents and later trying, but failing, to secure a second €5,000 loan. The fake death notice, posted on RIP.ie almost a week after the supposed funeral date, detailed McAuley’s demise, stating she would be at a funeral home in Shankill for repose with the funeral to follow at St. Mary’s Church in Lucan on December 29.
Her elaborate scheme involved submitting false death notification forms to Wexford County Council, resulting in the issuance of two death certificates with variations of her name. McAuley’s ruse was discovered when she was spotted attending a wedding in Enniscorthy in June 2023, despite claiming to be deceased. Further investigations revealed multiple death notices for her on RIP.ie, one alleging her demise in France, and another posted by herself under a fake undertaker’s identity.
McAuley’s deception extended to her employer, where she falsely claimed her demise, triggering a claim for death-in-service benefits to fund her child’s surgery. The company, duped by her ploy, made a goodwill payment of €9,000. Consequently, McAuley was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to using false instruments, attempting to pervert justice, forging documents, and various theft-related charges.
This sentencing, handed down by Judge Orla Crowe, highlighted the calculated nature of McAuley’s actions, describing them as a deliberate scheme to obstruct justice. The court noted the extensive planning involved in the offenses, the substantial sums of money misappropriated, and McAuley’s prior criminal record as aggravating factors. Despite mitigating factors such as her guilty pleas, expressions of remorse, family support, and health issues, McAuley received a four-year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended under strict conditions.
McAuley, who has a history of theft and deception, including previous convictions for embezzlement from employers, will be under Probation Service supervision post-release. The judge emphasized the importance of McAuley’s medical reports being available to the prison governor. Additionally, McAuley’s defense lawyer highlighted her client’s remorse, acceptance of responsibility, and recognition of the consequences of her actions, portraying her current circumstances as more stable compared to her tumultuous past.