Dole fraudster who claimed €40,000 given time to make arrangements for his daughters’ home schooling
A 51-year-old Northern Ireland man who fraudulenty claimed €40,000 in benefits south of the border has been allowed more time to make alternative arrangements for his daughters’ home schooling when he appeared before Dundalk Circuit Court.
Eamon Corry, Newry Road, Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh, signed guilty pleas to three counts of social welfre fraud.
At an adjourned sentence hearing he was remanded on continuing bail to June 22 for finalisation.
Evidence was given that the defendant was claiming Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseekers’ Allowance in the Republic of Ireland while living in the North.
He had successfully applied for the supplementary allowance at the Department of Social Protection in Dundalk and for Jobseekers’ online.
An investigation took place in the South and with authorities in Northern Ireland. The fraud in respect of the matters before the court amounted to €39,933.
No repayments were made. Mr Corry had been invited to an interview in Dundalk but no contact was made in 2023.
He made admissions during interview in Northern Ireland which were of value, a department inspector agreed with defence counsel.
The defendant admitted he never resided in the Republic of Ireland and was therefore guilty of these offences.
He said that he knew what he did was fraudulent. It stopped following the interview. The man had not come to attention before or since.
Mr Corry had €1,200 in court previously. There was a repayment plan of €100 per month.
Judge Hayes remarked at that rate it would take about 30 years to repay.
Barrister Donough McDonough, instructed by solicitor Ciarán Hughes, said that at the time his client was drinking and gambling heavily.
He went "cold turkey" and was no longer gambling. He was drinking "modestly".
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Mr Corry has three children with his first partner and two with his partner of the last 15 years who was in court supporting him. He was home schooling one of his daughters.
He was a manual labourer with a "bouncy castle" company.
Mr McDonough continued that his client pleaded guilty at an early stage. These were difficult cases to prosecute.
He was "deeply worried" about the outcome. What occurred was out of character.
At the adjourned sentence hearing Mr McDonough said that his client has been home schooling a second daughter since January last.
"What arrangements have been made for their schooling?” Judge Hayes asked.
Counsel replied that none were in place.
Prosecuting counsel Steven Dixon BL said that Mr Corry has no previous convictions in the Republic of Ireland and Road Traffic convictions in the North, including for drink driving and careless driving.
The court heard that in addition to the €1,200, there was a further €200 available, while on January 29 last €100 had been paid by standing order.
It was somewhat surprising no arrangements had been made in respect of the children’s education, notwithstanding the court’s view they should be made, Judge Hayes said.
As it was coming towards the end of the school year, one further opportunity would be given, and sentencing was adjourned until June 22.
"I don’t want to interfere with their education any more than I have to. At least this way they will get close to the end of their school year,” the judge continued.