Clare construction worker avoids prison sentence over fraudulent social welfare claims

A CONSTRUCTION worker who fraudulently claimed more than €24,000 in social welfare benefits has avoided an immediate prison sentence.  

Limerick District Court has heard that Sean Browne, who has an address at Elton Court, Meelick, County Clare, was working at a site in Limerick when the Department of Social Protection uncovered that he had made five false declarations relating to his employment status.

Over a three-year-period - between October 1, 2016 and September 10, 2019 -  he received a total of €24,752.18 which he was "not entitled to."

When asked about Mr Browne's motivation for the fraud, Judge John King was told he is the father of two young children and that he was under financial pressure. 

Barrister Nicholas Hall said his client was “in a desperate position” and had been “backed into a bit of a hole”. He added that he accepts it was a "silly decision". 

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Mr Browne, the court heard, has periodically repaid some the money in instalments of €200 to the Department of Social Protection and that a regular standing order is now in place. 

State Solicitor Aileen Mee said the defendant, who has no previous convictions, still owes over €16,000 but that the Department is happy he is making efforts to repay the full amount owed. 

Describing the offence as an "appalling defrauding of the people of Ireland", Judge John King commented: “If he wasn’t making repayments he would be going into custody.”  

He imposed a five month prison sentence, which he suspended for two years.