A man who claimed his brother’s social welfare payment while he was away in Peru has been fined €1,500 and sentenced to 220 hours community service by Tallaght Court.
The court heard that Peter Farrell (30), Rossfield Grove, Tallaght, Dublin, had suffered panic attacks and stress since being charged with the offences. He pleaded guilty.
Garda Sgt Carmel Henry told Judge James McDonnell that in August 2011, a social welfare inspector had contacted gardaí to say that he suspected Farrell had been claiming his brother’s jobseeker’s allowance while his brother was on holiday. She said the total loss came to €940 – €188 a week.
Farrell’s counsel said he had three children. Farrell’s brother had asked him to claim the allowance for him to pay the rent and to put the remaining sum into a bank account.