Man jailed for 'mean scam in national crisis' fails to get taxi licence renewed

Judge said there was a fear from the State that he would use his taxi to commit similar offences 

The accused had previously held a licence to drive a taxi. Picture Denis Minihane

A very sophisticated crime during a time of national crisis resulted in a jail term for one of those involved. And now after serving his sentence, Bashiru Aderibigbe applied for a taxi licence but the appeal judge said: "Absolutely no.”

The 2020 scam targeted a welfare scheme designed to assist people in greatest financial need in the pandemic and €183,000 was defrauded from the State by a number of parties involved.

Bashiru Aderibigbe, 47, of Ballincollig, Co Cork, was sentenced for his part in the crime to three and a half years with the final one year suspended, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

On release from prison, he applied for a renewal of a public service vehicle licence so that he could work as a taxi driver.

This was refused by Chief Superintendent Tom Myers at Anglesea Street Garda Station.

Mr Aderibigbe appealed that refusal to Judge Joanne Carroll at Cork District Court.

Detective Garda Eimhear Keeshan told Judge Carroll of the background of the fraud.

The first phase of the crime was a significant data breach where emails of HSE staff were harvested and people were then sent bogus jury summonses, which requested further information that was then used to set up bank accounts.

Using these false bank accounts, fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Payment claims were made.

Applying for his PSV licence to be restored, his solicitor, Killian McCarthy, submitted: “He held a licence from 2008 and there were no complaints against him during that time.” 

Fear similar offences would be carried out

Judge Carroll said there was a fear from the State that he would use his taxi to commit similar offences because of concerns for his integrity and trustworthiness.

Det Garda Keeshan said that in the fraud, perpetrated by a number of parties, 36 payments were made to Mr Aderibigbe, amounting to a total of €56,000.

Mr Aderibigbe said during his appeal for a PSV licence: “I have never used my taxi to commit any crime. On many occasions, I found wallets in my car with cash and cards and I handed them over to the Garda station.” 

Finalising her decision to refuse the appeal, Judge Caroll said: “It was a particularly mean offence during a national crisis. You took advantage of that situation… Unfortunately, at this time I have to agree with the chief superintendent… Absolutely no.”

The judge later added that this was the decision “at this time”.

While in prison, Mr Aderibigbe did a course in culinary skills and was described as a model prisoner, to the extent that he was released early.

At his sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Helen Boyle said: “You were granted asylum in this country in 2005. Covid occurred and you were in financial difficulty and you succumbed to temptation to become involved in this fraud.”