Dole claimant had €100k in bank

An unemployed chef, who received almost €30,000 in dole payments after he failed to mention he had more than €100,000 in the bank, is to be sentenced next year.

Egyptian-born Gamal Borie, 62, of Harrington St, Dublin 2, pleaded guilty to making a false statement in which he failed to disclose his finances when claiming jobseeker’s allowance.

He was prosecuted by the office of the Minister for Social Protection.

The offence can result in a fine of up to €2,500 and, or a six-month sentence in addition to being made pay back benefits wrongfully claimed. Judge John O’Neill, at Dublin District Court adjourned the case until April 2016.

Solicitor Joseph Maguire, for the minister, said Borie’s case was “a crime of greed”.

He had received €102,411 from selling a house, had financial means at his disposal, and was not entitled to the €29,360 in benefits he received over three years.

He began repaying the money but still owed €26,031.

Borie’s solicitor said her client, now on disability allowance, suffers from arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

He was not aware it was his duty to disclose the amount of money in his bank account, the court had heard.

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