Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for man who stole over €167k in benefits
Summary
Gerard Lawlor, 67, of Balrothery, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 11 counts of fraudulently claiming €167,873 in social welfare payments from 2005 to 2015. The fraud was uncovered during a Revenue audit of his former wife's dieting company, revealing that he had claimed pre‑retirement payments for himself and adult dependent allowances for his estranged wife. Lawlor had also failed to declare self‑employment and property transactions. He has no prior convictions and is now receiving a state pension of €183 a week, reduced by €28 to repay the debt. A probation report highlighted that his sister, Patricia, could not care for their severely disabled sister without his help. Judge Karen O'Connor, after hearing the report, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, citing the detrimental effect imprisonment would have on his sisters' care. The sentence was suspended in full, with no custodial term imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for man who stole over €167k in benefits. Charges or matters: 11 sample counts of stealing social welfare payments from the Department of Social Protection between 2005 and 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 2005 and 2015 Other
- 2017-06-15 Publication
Why: The judge said it was with "a degree of reluctance" that she would therefore impose a suspended sentence because she said she felt imprisonment of Lawlor would be "detrimental to the life of his sisters". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 11 sample counts of stealing social welfare payments from the Department of Social Protection between 2005 and 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge said it was with "a degree of reluctance" that she would therefore impose a suspended sentence because she said she felt imprisonment of Lawlor would be "detrimental to the life of his sisters". Judge O'Connor sentenced Lawlor to three years in prison which she suspended in full on strict conditions.; Judge Karen O'Connor had adjourned the sentence last April having heard evidence, to get a probation report on Lawlor's family situation and his involvement in the care of his sister.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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