Courts / Dublin / Report
Facial imaging tech snagged social welfare fraudster
Summary
A 62‑year‑old man named Owen McKeever pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to fraudulently claiming over €40,000 of Jobseeker's Allowance in his brother Brendan McKeever's name between 2009 and 2013. He was charged with 50 counts of social welfare fraud, resulting in a total loss to the Exchequer of €41,871. McKeever was also making a legitimate claim in his own name at the time. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned his sentence for six months to assess his eligibility for community service. She indicated a potential suspended three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence if he can repay €3,000 to the State every six months, as he has proposed. The case was aided by facial imaging technology introduced in 2013, which matched a genuine photograph of McKeever with one purporting to be his brother. McKeever admitted full responsibility, has begun repaying €50 per week, and has repaid €2,350 to date. The sentence is adjourned until July.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Facial imaging tech snagged social welfare fraudster. Charges or matters: fraudulently claiming jobseekers allowance in the name of Brendan McKeever, on dates between 2009 and 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 2009 and 2013 Other
- 2018-01-26 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: fraudulently claiming jobseekers allowance in the name of Brendan McKeever, on dates between 2009 and 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today, Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned the sentence for six months to see if McKeever is eligible for community service. She said she would consider a suspended three-and-a-half-year sentence if McKeever is deemed suitable and if he can repay the State €3,000 every six months, as he has suggested.; Credit: Collins) A 62-year-old man who fraudulently claimed over €40,000 of Jobseeker's Allowance in his brother's name and was caught as a result of facial imaging technology has had his sentence adjourned.
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