Courts / Dublin / Report
Father-of-four used false IDs in €400K welfare fraud
Summary
David Church, a 39‑year‑old father of four from Dublin, pleaded guilty to 13 counts that represented 199 charges of fraudulently claiming Jobseekers' Allowance and Rent Allowance between September 2002 and July 2013. He used six false identities, created in the UK by purchasing birth certificates, to claim a total of €478,052 from the State, an average of about €40,000 a year. The fraud was uncovered when facial‑recognition software matched the same photograph on multiple welfare identities. Church admitted to using the names Adam Cole, Paul Anthony O'Brien, Derek O'Brien and Darren O'Brien, and later confessed to five additional names. He had no prior convictions and was arrested in July 2013 after Gardaí observed him claiming benefits under false names at post offices. The court will sentence him tomorrow, with a remand in custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father-of-four used false IDs in €400K welfare fraud. Charges or matters: 13 sample counts representing all the offences at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2002 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2013 Incident
- July 29 Incident
- 2015-01-15 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 13 sample counts representing all the offences at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Guerin mentioned a similar case of social welfare fraud where a man had been sentenced to eight years in jail following an appeal, but said that man had used the names of close family members. Judge Nolan indicated that the sentence he will impose will be somewhat less than eight years and remanded Church in custody for sentencing tomorrow.; Judge Nolan indicated that the sentence he will impose will be somewhat less than eight years and remanded Church in custody for sentencing tomorrow.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request