A man who defrauded the Department of Social Protection by collecting social welfare payments by using his friend’s card, who was in Australia, was before Castlebar District Court this week.
Donal Deegan, Derrywash, Castlebar, used the social welfare card of James Kelly on eight difference occasions, from August 30 2011 to October 21 2011, to collect job seeker’s benefit from the post office in Castlebar. The total value collected over the eight week period was €1,336.
An employee in the post office recognised the defendant and reported the matter.
According to his solicitor, James Ward, Deegan sent the money to his friend in Australia via post.
The 22-year-old told the court that he gained nothing from collecting the money but was “helping a friend out in need”, as his friend had gone to Australia with no money. Deegan told Judge Mary Devins, “I know it sounds far fetched, but it’s the honest truth.” The defendant has not recently been in contact with Mr Kelly.
Deegan has since borrowed money from his sister and saved money from his own social welfare payments to have a total of €960 available to pay back.
Judge Devins asked for a probation report and remanded the defendant on continuing bail to Castlebar District Court on January 2 2013.
