€500 fine for fraudulently claiming €26k from dole

A man, who claimed he did not he know he was cheating when he fraudulently claimed over €26,000 in dole payments, has been fined €500.

Manus McFadden, with an address at Easton Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare, but formally of Gortlee Rd, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty to charges under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.

Judge John O’Neill heard at Dublin District Court that McFadden received €26,525 and has given €5,323 back to social welfare authorities.