A Cork man who, on 11 separate occasions, claimed social welfare benefit using his brother’s name and card at Ballyhaunis Post Office, was this week before Ballyhaunis District Court.
The case, which was heard previously, outlined that Patrick Ward of 31 Blueberry Fields, Broomfiled, Midleton, Co Cork, stole €2,247.30 in benefits over the course of 11 weeks before he was caught red-handed by gardaí.
The court was told that Ward had a number of previous convictions, including one for which he received a suspended sentence. Judge Mary Devins released Ward on bail to appear at Midleton District Court and at Tuesday’s court sitting in Ballyhaunis the court heard that the judge in Cork declined to impose the prison sentence.
The court heard that Ward, who is a married father of five, is willing to pay the money back in the coming months. Judge Devins adjourned the matter to July 6.
