The father of convicted murderer Yousef Palani is attempting to contest the State’s decision to terminate his jobseeker’s and disability payments, claiming there is no proof to back the claim that he participated in criminal acts, reports RTE.
Juma Palani, who resides in Sligo, is taking legal action in the High Court against the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the Chief Appeals Officer, the Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Justice, Ireland, and the Attorney General.
Yousef Palani received a life sentence last year for murdering two gay men, Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt, and for stabbing a third man, Anthony Burke, in the eye with a kitchen knife, all within a four-day span in Sligo, reports RTE.
The remains of Mr. Moffitt, aged 42, were found in his home on April 11, 2022, while Michael Snee’s body, aged 58, was discovered the following day, also in his residence.
At the time of his sentencing, Yousef Palani was 23 years old and had asked his victims if they were “100 percent Irish.” He later told investigators that he would have continued “to kill” if gardaà had not intervened.
The Central Criminal Court heard that Yousef Palani was born in Iraq and immigrated to Ireland at six, while both of his parents, who are of Kurdish descent, obtained Irish citizenship in 2021, reports RTE.
Juma Palani is seeking a court order to overturn the decisions made earlier this year that denied his applications for jobseeker’s and disability allowance, as well as to reclaim any funds disbursed under these programs.
The applicant is also requesting a declaration asserting that the State “erred in law and fact and/or exercised their discretion improperly and beyond their jurisdiction in concluding, in accordance with the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, that there are reasonable grounds to suggest that the applicant participated in criminal activities,” reports RTE.
In his application, Mr. Palani argues that no evidence has been put forth to support this claim.
Additionally, Mr. Palani seeks a declaration asserting that the respondents have violated and failed to uphold “the applicant’s procedural rights under the Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights Act.”
Mr. Palani informed the court that he applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance in August 2006 and for Disability Allowance in February 2021.
Lawyers representing Mr. Palani contend that the investigation into the applicant’s allowances was conducted unlawfully and without the required permitting certificate, reports RTE.
The applicant outlines in his statement of grounds that he participated in a garda interview in May 2023, with the final decision to deny his claims being made in January 2024, followed by a subsequent decision in February 2024 demanding the repayment of all benefits received.
In February 2024, the applicant’s solicitor contacted the relevant State parties to request “any evidence concluding that the applicant was involved in criminal behavior and may pose threats and intimidation to decision-making officials” as defined in the Act, reports RTE.
“The applicant has consistently asserted throughout his interactions with the respondents that he is not involved in any criminal activity and does not present a threat to staff,” argue Mr. Palani’s lawyers, reports RTE.
Mr. Palani contends that, had any evidence implicating him in criminal conduct existed, he should have been given a chance to respond as mandated by “fair procedures, natural and constitutional justice.”
Ms. Justice Mary Rose Gearty postponed the proceedings to reconvene at the High Court next week, reports RTE.
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