Courts / Dublin / Report

Bench warrant issued for repeat social welfare fraudster

Date
2016-10-07

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A bench warrant was issued after James Maughan, 38, failed to appear for sentencing. Maughan had previously been caught using facial‑recognition software in July 2015 when he applied for Jobseeker's Allowance under the false name "Terence Maughan." He had already been claiming disability benefit in his own name and had stolen €438 in Jobseeker's Allowance. He had 11 prior convictions for social welfare fraud dating back to 2013, the most recent of which carried a six‑month sentence. Maughan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitting he induced another to submit a false application and stole the allowance. Sentencing had been adjourned to allow him to attend rehabilitation at Cuan Mhuire, where he attended in August but left in September. The court noted no communication had been received from Cuan Mhuire and issued the bench warrant, requesting a representative from the centre to explain why the notification requirements were not met.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Bench warrant issued for repeat social welfare fraudster. Charges or matters: accept an application for job seekers allowance in a false name and stole €438 in Jobseeker's Allowance, the property of the Department of Social Protection in July 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 2015 Adjournment
July 8th Other
July 23rd Incident
2016-10-07 Publication

Case subjects

James Maughan

Defendant

Charges: accept an application for job seekers allowance in a false name and stole €438 in Jobseeker's Allowance, the property of the Department of Social Protection in July 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He received a six month sentence from the District Court on that occasion.; The court heard sentencing had been adjourned earlier this year to allow Maughan attend rehabilitation at Cuan Mhuire.