Church minister fined for €19k benefits claim

A church minister has been fined €750 for fraudulently claiming almost €20,000 in benefits.

Dublin District Court heard Idowu Akanbi, 48, The Close, Orlynn Park, Lusk, Dublin made a “false declaration claiming the one parent family payment” and he “concealed he had got remarried”. Judge John O’Neill heard the man received €19,132 in payments but has given back €3,818. There have also been deductions of €28 a week from his jobseeker’s allowance.

He has pleaded guilty to charges are under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.