Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who stole €178k in welfare payments had house in UAE and €47k in savings
Summary
Mazin Albaqir, 51, was sentenced to four years in prison with the final two years suspended after pleading guilty to seven counts of stealing €178,000 in social welfare payments between February 2002 and December 2009. He failed to disclose a property in the UAE valued at about €110,000 and savings of €47,500. Albaqir, an Irish citizen originally from Iraq, had lived in Ireland since 1999 and is a married father of three. He used part of the stolen money to fund a master's degree and has repaid €56,000, leaving a debt of just under €123,000. The court noted his cooperation, guilty plea, and lack of prior convictions, and accepted that he is not a risk of re‑offending. Judge Pauline Codd highlighted that welfare fraud undermines fairness and social solidarity. The suspended portion reflects his remorse and cooperation. The case also mentioned his recent hospital admission for suicidal ideation and separation from his wife.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who stole €178k in welfare payments had house in UAE and €47k in savings. Charges or matters: seven counts of stealing social welfare payments in the form of jobseekers allowance and rent supplement from the Department of Social Welfare between February 2002 and December 2009. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2002 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2015 Incident
- 2018-12-10 Publication
Why: By Isabel Hayes and Sonya McLean A man who stole €178,000 in social welfare payments and used part of it to fund his masters degree has been sentenced to four years with the final two years suspended. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: seven counts of stealing social welfare payments in the form of jobseekers allowance and rent supplement from the Department of Social Welfare between February 2002 and December 2009 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Albaqir to four years in prison but suspended the final two years having taken into account his co-operation and guilty plea.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Old Court Avenue
- That house
- The house
Topics
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