Brothers whose €38k claim was exposed
EARLIER this week two Traveller brothers had claims for €38,000 rejected by Galway Circuit Court after evidence that they were linked to a Roma group with whom they staged fake car crashes.
The hoax collision, in Dublin, was part of a wider series of scams involving 79 people, the court heard.
Martin and John Gerard Corcoran, from Lynton Close halting site in London, and five of their cousins were in a Ford Galaxy at a Blanchardstown roundabout in July 2012 when it was allegedly hit by a car driven by Neagu Alexandru. All seven of the Corcorans made claims. Circuit Court president Judge Raymond Groarke said vast research by Aviva, into geographical and family connections, confirmed the scam.
He said it was an ‘inescapable conclusion’ that there were links between some Irish Travellers and some Roma members to stage accidents. The judge described Alexandru, who drove his Honda Civic into the back of the Galaxy, as ‘a crook’.
He said it was an extraordinary state of affairs that so many people involved in so many accidents should have similar descriptions, addresses and locations, come from the same country of origin, and reside, but not exclusively, in Galway.
Aviva’s research confirmed direct connections between the Corcorans and other claimants who lived close to them in the London halting site.
The investigation raised a considerable question mark over the veracity of evidence given by the Corcorans, said Judge Groarke.
He added that he believed they were well aware of what had been taking place and were a party to the attempted fraud.
Aviva’s legal costs were directed to be paid by the Corcoran brothers.