Choose slams folks for taking “benefit” of Covid PUP funds

A District Court docket Choose has stated that she isn’t impressed by individuals who tried to make the most of the federal government help through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Choose Éiteáin Cunningham was talking at Letterkenny District Court docket this week.

Choose Cunningham made the remarks through the case of Pawel Piechocki, who was earlier than the court docket after being discovered to have claimed €8,750 by fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Fee (PUP) claims.

Social Welfare inspector Mary Joe McGovern informed how Piechocki had made an software on November 4, 2020 and acknowledged that he had final been unemployed in October 2020.

Throughout what was described as a ‘routine evaluation’ 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 court docket heard that Piechocki obtained €8,750 fraudulently and that €7,450 was nonetheless excellent.

Piechocki is paying again the sum of €30 per week through 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 acquired right into a scenario relating to monies owed and had problem with habit, for which he had acquired remedy.

“It was clear that this was a street 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 court docket, as beforehand indicated, deems this a really severe offence,” Choose Cunningham stated. “The court docket isn’t impressed that individuals sought to make the most of gestures made by the federal government to help folks in want through the pandemic. The court docket views it as a most severe offence.”

Choose slams folks for taking “benefit” of Covid PUP funds was final modified: September seventh, 2023 by Employees Author