A Dublin court has ordered a well known League Of Ireland footballer to re-pay over €4,500 he claimed in welfare fraud back to the state.
The player in question named Ian Bermingham, who plays for Dublin club St Patrick’s Athletic, appeared before a special sitting at Dublin Circuit Criminal court recently charged with benefit fraud in a prosecution brought by forward by the Department of Social Protection. It is understood that the semi- professional footballer has been ordered to return all of the money he claimed between 2011 and 2013, however Mr Bermingham will not receive a criminal conviction if he manages to fulfil his court order of donating €250 to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin
Mr Bermingham who plays as a left-full back for the club pleaded guilty to six counts under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act for concealing the fact that he was in employment on dates in 2011, 2012 and 2013 while was obtaining the Jobseeker’s Allowance. Bermingham, with an address of Rossmore Avenue, Ballyfermot, in Dublin, did not speak during his hearing as his solicitor Wayne Kenny explained to the court his client was pleading guilt.
Mr Kenny also told the court that the whole incident was a complete misunderstanding, and his client “genuinely believed that because he was working part-time, he was entitled to the payment.”Mr Kenny finalised by saying that Bermingham was “extremely embarrassed by the whole situation” but is willing to accept his punishment.