Dowra farmer claimed farm assist by deception

A Dowra farmer received a 12-month suspended sentence for claiming farm assist payments of almost €30,000 from the Department of Social Protection by deception.

66-year-old Patrick Leonard of Cornamuckla, Dowra pleaded guilty to obtaining social welfare payments by deception between March 8-9, 2010 after failing to declare at the social welfare office in Carrick-on-Shannon he had several thousand euro in multiple bank accounts.

Department of Social Protection inspector Donal Carroll informed Carrick-on- Shannon Circuit Court that Mr Leonard had previously been on unemployment assistance but switched to farm assist in 1999.

When he applied he declared he had no other income or capital other than savings of IR£2,000. The farm assist payment is reviewed every year and details of personal finance are signed by the applicant.

Mr Carroll said his department was given information by revenue about interest accrued on savings by Mr Leonard.

He said there were 23 bank accounts investigated over four branches belonging to Mr Leonard.

From 2010 to 2013, Mr Leonard was found to have between €80,000-€105,000 in savings.

Mr Carroll said Mr Leonard did admit having the money and said some was from savings, some was won on the horses and some was being kept for his brother.

Inspectors determined that the Dowra man had received an overpayment of €29,993 across several years .

Over €21,000 has so far been repaid to the department through €4,000 paid by Mr Leonard direct and monies withheld from his disability payments.

Mr Leonard's barrister Frank Martin said his client is in “poor health” and outlined how he worked in the Ballinamore mines and in the UK as a labourer. He explained that Mr Leonard paid €61,902.40 to his brother as his fair share in the farm Mr Leonard inherited.

Mr Martin said “he saved his pennies” and “if he had been a spender not a saver he wouldn’t be in this position”

There were a number of testimonials in court to Mr Leonard’s good character.

Judge John Aylmer said the monies were claimed in a premeditated fashion but he acknowledged his hard work and good character.

He said it was “unusual” to see so much paid back and he gave him a 12 month suspended sentence.