Woman in court following search for Ireland's oldest man in Laois

A pensioner ended up in court in Laois after an amateur gerontologist contacted Aras an Uachtarain enquiring about a 110 year old man. 

Margaret Bergin, 72, of Fairfield House, Mountrath appeared before Portlaoise District Court on 15 sample charges of theft and larceny relating to a sum of  €271,046 of pension claims in the 29 years up to February 25, 2022.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the DPP had directed the matter be dealt with on indictment in a higher court. 

Detective Garda Peter Crosbie told the court the case began with an amateur Gerontologist, who identifies the oldest people in the world, learned of a 110 year old in Laois.

“This male would be Ireland’s oldest man,” he told the court.

“It is alleged that the researcher decided to contact the Aras as he had suspicions,” Det Crosbie explained. 

The Aras had a record of a man in Laois who was born on July 2, 1911. They then contacted the Department of Social Protection who visited the Fairfield House in Mountrath.

Representing the accused, Suzanne Dooner  BL objected to the evidence being heard in the District Court. 

“These are all alleged facts. I would ask for it not to be reported  on,” she said. 

Judge Andrew Cody pointed out that the facts were only alleged and the accused was entitled to a presumption of innocence. 

“It needs to be reported carefully that they are alleged facts,” he said. 

 He refused to make an order preventing reporting and adjourned the matter to September 7 for a Book of Evidence.