Kildare woman who stole social welfare payments gets custody term

A woman who stole social welfare payments in the form of job seekers allowance was given two eleven months custody terms at a Naas District Court sitting.

Alina Korsinszki, 41, whose address was given as 14 The Way, Craddockstown Park, Naas, was prosecuted for 48 counts of theft on dates between May 2006 and April 2018, She was prosecuted in relation to two counts of forgery and one in relation to a false document on dates between 2006 and 2018. 

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Most of the offences took place at the Department of Social Protection office in Newbridge.

Detective Garda Michelle Faughnan told the court the defendant attended the office in May 2021 to get a picture taken for a public services card and her facial identity matched another person, allegedly of Italian origin who did not exist but had the same address and phone number.

A subsequent search uncovered documents relating to both identities as well as a false Italian driving licence.

The garda said the defendant is from Romania and when she arrived in Ireland, restrictions were in place relating to people from that country securing employment here.

Det Gda Faughnan said the defendant was very cooperative.

The defendant came here under the guise of an Italian national, which was a false identity and this person did not exist.

The garda agreed with Mr Kennelly that the defendant was contributing to Irish society by pay of taxes and income dedication before losing her job in the recession.

It was difficult to secure a work permit so she used Italian identity. She also agreed the defendant is a decent person.

Mr Kennelly said the defendant came here from a poor background to get a better life and was sending money home and he handed in a lengthy reference from the employer. He described the case as “necessity compounded by necessity.” He said her crime was to be born in a country that cannot look after its people.

“This is a good woman, not a criminal," he said, adding that she had €5,000 in court to pay as a charitable donation if a custody term could be avoided.

Mr Kennelly said the issue arose as a result of one of the greatest depressions ever experienced in this country. He said she did something silly and had gathered the compensation “through sheer hard work.”

MrKennelly said that the defendant has paid over €100,000   in taxes, contributions and levies.

The court heard that the overpayment amounted to €9,163.70 - all of which has been paid back by the defendant.

Judge Desmond Zaidan criticised the fact that the Department of Social Protection  did not raise questions about the case between 2006 and 2018.

"It's embarrassing and raises a lot of questions about what measures they have in place to prevent fraud. It's mind boggling, but I’m not surprised” he commented.

He noted the woman had no previous convictions but it was a sophisticated fraud done with the aid of others “who gave her a false identity to do this.”

Leave was given to appeal.