Knockmore man falsely claimed €6991 in welfare

Knockmore man falsely claimed €6,991


A Knockmore man who claimed more than €6,900 in unemployment assistance while he was working as a lorry driver was convicted and fined €600 by Judge Mary Devins at Ballina District Court last week for failing to notify the Minister of Social Protection of his emplyment status.
David Herbert, Barnfield, Knockmore, Ballina who was claiming social welfare began working as a lorry driver in July 2008. On separate dates in the same year during the months of August, September and November the defendant made a false declaration stating that he was unemployed.
In January 2009 the defendant again made a declaration which that he was not gainfully employed. A total of €6,991 unemployment assistance was paid into his account during the period.
Herbert was convicted and fined for his failure to notify the relevant authorities of his employment. The court heard that all of the money which Herbert received has subsequently been paid back.