Man convicted of fraudulently claiming €24,000 in dole payments
A Dublin courier who fraudulently claimed more than €24,000 in jobseeker's allowance while he was working, is to be sentenced next month.
Dublin District Court heard today that Paul Kiely (aged 44) from George Reynolds House, Irishtown, had made false statements that he was unemployed on dates between 2007 and 2010.
Judge Marie Quirke was told that the father-of-four, who was prosecuted by the Department of Social Protection, had been working while claiming jobseeker's allowance.
He received €24,653 and since being detected he has repaid €5,207.
Judge Quirke heard that Mr Kiely, who pleaded guilty to the fraud, was giving the money back through weekly instalments of €75 and at this rate it will take about five years until he has fully repaid the department.
Defence counsel Rory Staines asked the court to note that the Mr Kiely, who has no prior convictions, had a van which had broken down and had needed repairs and he “had difficulties getting back on the road”.
He had owed money to a finance company for his van, counsel said.
The court also heard that he expects to return to courier work in the coming weeks and if his business is successful he expects to be able to repay the money in full.
Judge Quirke described the fraud as “acutely serious” but adjourned sentencing until a date next month when Mr Kiely will have had his business up and running again and will then be in a position to say how much he is earning.
