Courts / Dublin / Report
Welfare fraudster ordered to carry out community service
Summary
Terence Gavin, 25, was found guilty of fraudulently claiming job seekers allowance for two years under a false name and also claiming other state benefits in his own name. He admitted to stealing €8,100 from the Department of Social and Family Affairs at An Post, Donaghmede Shopping Centre between October 2010 and July 2012. Gavin has ten prior convictions, including burglary and theft. Garda Gareth Ryan explained that social welfare officials had flagged a suspicious claim made under the name "Alan McDonagh," which Gavin had used. CCTV footage from the post office identified him when the claim was paid. The judge, Melanie Greally, noted Gavin's difficult upbringing and limited work history but emphasized the seriousness of his dishonesty. She ordered him to complete 240 hours of community service within 12 months, with one year to be served in default, and imposed a one‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Welfare fraudster ordered to carry out community service. Charges or matters: stealing a total of €8,100, the property of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, at An Post, Donaghmede Shopping Centre on dates between October 2010 and July 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 2010 Incident
- July 2012 Incident
- 2017-11-23 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Defendant
Charges: stealing a total of €8,100, the property of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, at An Post, Donaghmede Shopping Centre on dates between October 2010 and July 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said that due to the amount involved the court had alternatives to an immediate custodial sentence but she had to take into account the wider social implications of social welfare fraud. "There is a serious issue with honesty on Mr Gavin's part which he needs to address," said Judge Greally, warning him he would end up serving a lengthy prison sentence if he persisted in this type of activity. She ordered Gavin to carry out 240 hours community service within 12 months, with one year to be served in default.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Notional trial date set for Somali national accused of murdering Ukrainian teenager
- Authorities still trying to determine age of Somali national accused of murdering Ukrainian teen
- 'Hunter' who plunged knife through grandmother's neck in random city centre attack gets 12 years
- Grandmother randomly stabbed in head in Dublin city centre while watching Christmas lights switch-on
- Man admits trying to murder woman in Dublin city centre
- Alleged knife-wielding hijacker refused bail
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request