Company boss with €3.3m turnover claimed €41,000 in social welfare

A father of ten has been jailed for four years for claiming €41,000 in social welfare and failing to pay taxes when his accounts showed a turnover of more than €3.3m.

Daniel Kelleher pleaded guilty to 11 offences including two social welfare fraud offences, one of failing to make a tax return and eight of failing to make VAT payments.

The offences were all committed between 2005 and 2008.

Kelleher from Stoneyridge, Shanakiel, Cork ran a business supplying concrete products, sand and gravel and machinery hire.

When he signed on for the dole, he said he was an unemployed farm labourer.