The brother of a Limerick man shot dead in a gangland murder last year claimed almost €12,000 in social welfare while serving a two-year prison sentence for drugs, a court has heard.
Mark Crawford (28), O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, appeared before Limerick District Court yesterday where evidence was given of a "detailed and well-executed exercise" involving his former girlfriend and her brother.
Mr Crawford is a younger brother of Noel Crawford (40), a father of six shot dead outside his family's home in O'Malley Park on December 18th last.
Judge Tom O'Donnell was told yesterday that Mark Crawford was the "sole beneficiary" of disability cheques worth €11,759 claimed from the Department of Social and Family Affairs over 18 months between June 2005 and November 2006.
Mr Crawford, who was serving a two-year prison sentence at the time, arranged for his former girlfriend, Karen Hedderman, and her brother to collect the money, the court heard.
Ms Hedderman (22) and Barry Hedderman (26), both of O'Malley Park, Southill, also appeared in court yesterday.
All three pleaded guilty to stealing €11,759. 20 in disability payments, the property of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, at Cecil Street post office.
They also pleaded guilty to a second charge of claiming the money by deception with the intention of making a gain for themselves or another person, contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice Theft Act.
Judge O'Donnell adjourned the matter until April 19th when he will hear evidence from a Department of Social and Family Affairs inspector, who will explain the arrangements that have been put in place for the repayments.