A District Courtroom Choose has stated that she just isn’t impressed by individuals who tried to reap the benefits of the federal government assist through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Choose Éiteáin Cunningham was talking at Letterkenny District Courtroom this week.
Choose Cunningham made the remarks through the case of Pawel Piechocki, who was earlier than the courtroom after being discovered to have claimed €8,750 by way of fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Fee (PUP) claims.
Social Welfare inspector Mary Joe McGovern informed how Piechocki had made an utility on November 4, 2020 and acknowledged that he had final been unemployed in October 2020.
Throughout what was described as a ‘routine overview’ in April, 2021 Social Welfare officers found that it appeared as if Piechocki was employed.
His employer was contacted and confirmed that Piechocki had by no means misplaced employment. Documentation was supplied and Piechocki’s declare was closed.
The courtroom heard that Piechocki obtained €8,750 fraudulently and that €7,450 was nonetheless excellent.
Piechocki is paying again the sum of €30 per week by way of standing order.
Solicitor for Piechocki, Mr Patsy Gallagher, stated his shopper was a 28-year-old father-of-one who’s now separated. He stated Piechocki bought right into a state of affairs relating to monies owed and had issue with habit, for which he had obtained remedy.
“It was clear that this was a highway to nowhere and it was clear that he was going to be caught,” Mr Gallagher stated. “It’s his full intention to maintain going with the repayments and he intends to repay in full.”
Choose Cunningham adjourned the case till March 5, 2024 to permit for the preparation of a probation and welfare report.
“The courtroom, as beforehand indicated, deems this a really critical offence,” Choose Cunningham stated. “The courtroom just isn’t impressed that individuals sought to reap the benefits of gestures made by the federal government to help individuals in want through the pandemic. The courtroom views it as a most critical offence.”
Choose slams individuals for taking “benefit” of Covid PUP funds was final modified: September seventh, 2023 by
