Courts / Dublin / Report
€167k welfare fraudster spared jail for second time, despite DPP appeal
Summary
Gerard Lawlor, 68, of Balrothery, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 11 counts of fraudulently claiming €167,874 in social welfare payments from 2005 to 2015. The fraud was uncovered when his ex‑wife was audited by Revenue, revealing that Lawlor had claimed pre‑retirement, adult dependence, and jobseeker allowances while not living with his partner and while self‑employed. He also received rent payments for a co‑owned property and sold and purchased properties during the period. Lawlor, a father‑of‑three with no prior convictions, cooperated with Gardaí and entered an early guilty plea. He was sentenced to a wholly suspended three‑year term on 15 June 2017, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal after the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed for a custodial sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: €167k welfare fraudster spared jail for second time, despite DPP appeal. Charges or matters: 11 sample counts of stealing social welfare payments from the Department of Social Protection between 2005 and 2015. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- June 15, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2005 and 2015 Other
- 2018-07-17 Publication
Why: In a case of social welfare fraud, involving very large amounts over a long period of time, there had to be an exceptional reason for there to be no custody. 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 (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; It was the factor that most pressed Judge Karen O'Connor to impose a wholly suspended three year sentence on June 15, 2017, the court heard. Had the judge decided that "custody could not be avoided completely" or had she suspended part of the sentence, Lawlor may not have successful appealed, the judge said.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- The Circuit Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- Criminal asked for cigarette and bounded over six foot wall to escape custody
- Judge jails drugs transporter who has 'successfully rehabilitated'
- Pair involved in transporting €620k in cannabis jailed for 5.5 years
- 'Targeted' tile shop owner jailed for taking €1.9m cannabis delivery
- 'Cog' in €500k cannabis operation is jailed
- Judge commends courage of woman for coming forward about father's sex abuse
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request