Courts / Dublin / Report
Father illegally claimed benefits for son involved in feud
Summary
David McConnell, aged 76, was sentenced to a two‑year suspended term for dishonestly claiming disability benefits for his son, Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell, after the son left the jurisdiction. McConnell collected €203 weekly from April 10, 2019 to January 8, 2020, defrauding the State of just over €8,700. He pleaded guilty to four counts of dishonest inducement. The court noted Thomas could not leave the house due to a criminal feud, which the court deemed a psychological condition and a fear of other persons. McConnell claimed he continued to collect the money to support his granddaughter. He had 11 prior convictions dating from 1962 to 1989. The judge, citing McConnell's age and lack of re‑offending risk, imposed a suspended sentence rather than imprisonment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father illegally claimed benefits for son involved in feud. Charges or matters: four counts of dishonestly inducing the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to issue a weekly disability payment of €203 at Ballymun post office on dates between April 10, 2019 and January 8, 2020; these offences and he had to leave the family home. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- April 10, 2019 Incident
- January 8, 2020 Incident
- 1962 to 1989 Incident
- 2021-05-07 Publication
Why: The court heard Thomas McConnell "couldn't come out of the house because he was involved in an enterprise that put him in danger". Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four counts of dishonestly inducing the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to issue a weekly disability payment of €203 at Ballymun post office on dates between April 10, 2019 and January 8, 2020; these offences and he had to leave the family home (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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