Asylum seeker stole identity

AN asylum seeker who stole the identity of a university professor and used it to claim disability benefit will get a suspended sentence next week.

Issak Moro, aged 41, from Ghana used the professor’s identification to get a PPS number, which allowed him to get a job in Tesco. When he was injured on the job he used the identity to claim €4,791 in disability benefit.

Judge Tony Hunt commented: “I understand in a human sense why he did what he did.”

He noted Moro was facing deportation following the failure of his asylum application and that he had two Irish-born children. Moro has spent 15 months in custody awaiting sentence.

Judge Hunt adjourned the matter until next week to allow Moro enter an appeal against his deportation order. He said he intends to impose a suspended sentence on that date, commenting that 15 months in prison “pretty much approaches justice”.

Moro of Seaview, Mosney, Co Meath, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of theft from the Department of Social Welfare, August 2009 and May 2010, using a fake Dutch driving license and possessing a fake British license on May 5, 2010.

Garda Brian Healy told prosecuting counsel, Michael Bowman, that Professor Michael Champwana was visiting the Revenue Office in Limerick to regularise his tax affairs when he was asked if he was receiving disability benefit.

He said that he was not and subsequent investigation showed Moro was using a driver’s license in the professor’s name to claim the money from the Northside Civic Office in Coolock.

Moro was called into a meeting at the welfare office and when he produced the driving license Garda Healy realised it was a fake. When he was confronted Moro admitted his real name and co-operated with the investigation.

When they searched Moro’s residence in Mosney, gardaí also found a forged Dutch passport and British driving license. These had not been used to claim benefits.

Defence counsel, Leo Mulrooney BL, said Moro had used the false identity to get work and was paying tax under that identity prior to his genuine injury. He said his client wishes to apologise to the state and Prof Champwana and would happily pay back the money with interest if allowed.

The court heard Moro had carried out volunteer work when he first came here. He said he has a girlfriend who he met here and they have two children.