Noel Ward jailed for €109,235 social welfare fraud

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Noel Ward was jailed for social welfare fraud at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 20 November 2024, receiving a three-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended.

Ward pleaded guilty to two charges of using a false instrument and six counts of theft from the State, for offences committed between May 2008 and August 2019. He fraudulently claimed €109,235 over ten years using his friend’s identity and his own, including Jobseekers’ Benefit, Disability Benefit and Rent Allowance.

Judge Orla Crowe said the fraud was deliberate and sophisticated, involving two identities. She said a custodial component was required despite mitigating factors, including Ward’s role as sole carer for his partner.

The court heard Ward had repaid all but about €15,000 and had arranged weekly repayments to the Department of Social Protection.