A Longford man has admitted a string of social welfare frauds involving more than €50,000. The charges stretch back almost 10 years, Longford Circuit Criminal Court heard.
Patrick Stokes (37) of Lanna Aoibhinn, St Michael's Road, Longford had been sent forward to the Circuit Court after signing guilty pleas to 246 fraud charges in the local District Court.
In court yesterday Judge Tony Hunt was told by prosecution barrister, Des Dockery that the State would accept pleas being affirmed by the accused man to 13 sample charges from the list on the basis that full facts would be outlined to the court.
Defence barrister Dara Foynes told the court that the sum involved exceeded €50,000.
The facts were admitted by her client who had no previous convictions.
Patrick Stokes affirmed his guilty plea to charges dating back to January 2005 and including fraud offences in 2007, ’08, ’09 and 2010.
They include offences of stealing sums of cash from the Minister for Social Protection at Renmore Post Office in Galway and at PTSB in Main St Longford.
The individual sums involved ranged from €185 in 2005 to €960 in 2007.
In addition, he admitted completing Jobseeker’s Allowance forms at the social welfare offices in Ballinalee Road, Longford and using a copy of a UK driving licence in another person’s name for the purpose of opening a bank account.
The accused man did not speak during the court hearing other than to indicate to the court that he was affirming his pleas of guilty.
Judge Hunt acceded to an application from Ms Foynes to order a Probation and Welfare Service report on Mr Stokes.
The judge noted that Mr Stokes should get full credit for his signed pleas of guilty, but pointed out that the offences had taken place over an extended period of time.
Ms Foynes accepted the judge’s observations, but pointed out that there were “extenuating circumstances” in the case.
Judge Hunt, who was last week appointed to the High Court, has deferred sentencing in the case to next February.
Mr Stokes spent some time consulting with his legal team after the case and emerged from the court with his hand over his face to avoid the waiting media.