Syrian war refugee drew father’s pension after he left country

A 41- year- old Syrian war refugee who came to Sligo to live continued to draw his father’s Old Age Pension after the latter left the country for Iraq.

At Sligo Circuit Court, Ramy Daowd, now living in Mespil Estate, Sussex Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin admitted a charge of theft, the total amount involved being € 17,136.80 which had been paid into his account at the Bank of Ireland between 2013 and 2015. Ms Dara Foynes BL ( prosecuting) with State Solicitor Mr Hugh Sheridan, said the defendant’s father, an Iraqi national returned there in December 2013 but payments continued to be paid into the account up to June 2015. The defendant’s father, who could not speak any English, did not notify the relevant authorities he was leaving and not returning. The matter came to light when his visa was not renewed. The pension was paid for in excess of a year, said Ms Foynes. In response to Judge Keenan Johnson, she said it was paid, like all social welfare payments on the presumption of honesty.

Judge Johnson remarked that in the old days a person would present themselves personally at a post office and the payment was made to somebody who was known to satff.

It seemed to him that the system needed reforming and he couldn’t see why checks could not be made every three months to see that the recepient of such payments were still in the country. The Judge said it appeared the Department were being penny wise but pound foolish with payments being made into bank accounts. Ms Foynes said Daowd told Gardai he had been working as a chef but broke his leg and was off work. He also had marital difficulties at the time. His mother had also arrived from Syria around that time and she had a number of health problems. None of the money was paid back. Mr Joe Barnes BL with Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor said the defendant was a father of four and was now separated from his wife. He had € 500 in court and was seeking time to pay back what he took at a rate of € 500 a month. He was now working in the IT sector in Dublin and was earning € 1,600 a month but was paying € 1,100 in rent. He intended going into shared accommodation so he could afford to repay € 500 a month.

“He succumbed to temptation in vulnerable circumstances,” said Mr Barnes. Judge Johnson noted that Daowd didn’t claim sickness benefit when he was off work with his broken leg and this would have been worth about € 188 a week to him. The offence was a serious theft on the public purse said the Judge who adjourned sentencing to October 18th to allow € 500 be paid back monthly.