Ward’s Social Welfare Shenanigans: A Comedy of Errors
Well, grab your popcorn, folks, because we have a real-life drama unfolding right from the streets of Ballymun! Yes, Noel Ward’s ten-year journey to social welfare stardom is a story you won’t want to miss!
Meet Noel Ward, a 59-year-old resident of Dolmen Way. This gent turned a spot of homelessness into a ten-year ticket of fraud, raking in a staggering €109,235. Not exactly chump change, is it? It gets better; he was funneling a tidy €100 a week into his deceased friend’s bank account. That’s savvy—or a bit morbid, depending on how you view it!
So, what’s the plot twist? Ward concocted a plan to claim multiple social welfare benefits under the guise of his late friend, Patrick Rooney, who, let’s face it, probably didn’t sign up for this kind of afterlife shenanigan when he moved to Thailand in 2008. I mean, Patrick’s probably turning in his grave like, “What was I thinking?”
According to the court, between May 2008 and August 2019, Ward racked up benefits like it was a buffet—and we’re not talking sausages and beans here. Jobseekers’ Benefit, Disability Benefit, Jobseekers’ Allowance, Rent Allowance—you name it, he probably claimed it! I suspect he would’ve put his hand up for a free pint at the local pub if given a chance.
Now, imagine this: Our dear friend Ward, living it up while claiming to be a hardworking citizen under Mr. Rooney’s name. The irony? He later tried to apply for Disability Allowance, thinking, “They’ll never catch me!” Ah, but he underestimated the doggedness of the social welfare inspectors! They found out faster than you can say “pints on a Tuesday!”
When asked about the €100 a week he was shoveling into his friend’s account, he became the Shakespeare of excuses! “Oh, my cousin Mr. Rooney had a little financial boost coming from his wages,” he might’ve said, trying to produce a theatrical sigh for good measure.
But the curtain fell when they discovered a fake driving license with his own mug attached. Can you imagine him, possibly at the pub, thinking, “I got this in a pub about 11 years ago”? If that’s his alibi, he really did think this through, didn’t he?
The prosecutor here has a sharp tongue too. Garda Louise Keane revealed that both Ward and the late Mr. Rooney were living in a “somewhat chaotic” environment—now there’s a euphemism if I ever heard one! Sounds a tad like an episode of reality TV—“Who Wants to Be a Welfare Magnet?”
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any more wild, reports show that Ward has repaid a lump sum of €20,000 already! But wait, he’s still got a whopping €15,000 left to go. At this rate, he might just end up being the next contestant on “Who Wants to Be Financially Responsible?”
Let’s not forget the emotional angle here. Ward’s counsel has painted a portrait of an everyday bloke caught in the depths of despair: “It was a low point, when he was homeless and desperate.” A modern-day Robin Hood, but instead of taking from the rich to give to the poor, he was just helping himself, using his friend’s legacy as some sort of twisted windfall.
Now, bear with me here: Ward is described as a “very good worker” at his current job since 2021. I guess when you’re trying to pay off a debt that’s larger than most people’s mortgages, you show up on time and don’t swipe the office supplies, right?
The final act? Judge Orla Crowe has called for a final judgment next week on November 20. Will Ward walk away with a slap on the wrist, or will there be more drama? Stay tuned! The courtroom is heating up, and everyone’s waiting to see who will have the last laugh—or who will face the consequences of this grand charade.
So there you have it, folks. The great Noel Ward saga has all the ingredients for a Netflix series—drama, comedy, and a hefty dose of reality. To quote the great comedians, sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction!
Over a decade, Noel Ward unlawfully pocketed a staggering €109,235, which included systematically depositing €100 weekly into the bank account of his late friend.
Ward, aged 59, who resides on Dolmen Way in Ballymun, was living without a home when he crafted a fraudulent scheme alongside his deceased friend, Patrick Rooney, leveraging Rooney’s PPS number to claim several social welfare benefits.
At a recent court session, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was informed that Ward had transferred approximately €64,000 into his friend’s AIB account, with Mr. Rooney having passed away last December while in Thailand.
Ward admitted guilt to charges involving the use of false instruments, such as a driving licence, and multiple counts of theft from the State, with the offences committed between May 2008 and August 2019.
His fraudulent claims encompassed various benefits, including Jobseekers’ Benefit, Disability Benefit, Jobseekers’ Allowance, as well as Basic Supplementary Welfare and Rent Allowances.
According to court records, Ward has been diligently repaying the State since 2017, including a substantial lump sum of €20,000 that he submitted earlier this month.
Despite his efforts, the State still incurs a loss of around €15,000, but it is anticipated that Ward will reimburse this amount within the next four years.
During the proceedings, Garda Louise Keane articulated that authorities suspect the late Patrick Rooney may have been complicit in the misuse of his PPS number.
Ward’s fraudulent activities allowed him to claim €41,861 in Jobseekers’ Allowance from May 2008 up to July 2012, using Rooney’s identity.
He proceeded to acquire employment with two separate companies under Rooney’s name from July 2012 until August 2018, all while continuing to claim various unemployment benefits.
In total, the court found that Ward fraudulently acquired €56,590 while operating under his own name.
The last fraudulent claim he made was for illness benefit in Rooney’s name, amounting to €783, between January and March of 2017.
Details emerged that Ward had utilized a counterfeit driving license bearing Mr. Rooney’s name, but prominently featuring his own photograph.
The fraudulent operations came to light following Ward’s application to the Department of Social Protection for a Disability Allowance, where he submitted Ulster Bank statements documenting his weekly earnings from Musgraves Wholesale Partners.
Ward explained to an inspector that his cousin, Mr. Rooney, was the one utilizing his bank account for wage deposits.
A visit to Musgraves confirmed that Ward was employed but had been operating under the name of Patrick Rooney.
Gardaí conducted a search of Ward’s residence in July 2018, uncovering the fake driving license associated with Mr. Rooney.
Upon his arrest, Ward confessed to gardaí and acknowledged that he had been fraudulently claiming benefits while also having secretly worked under Rooney’s identity.
Ward conveyed that Mr. Rooney, identifiable as a recovering alcoholic, offered him shelter during his time of homelessness in 2008.
When Rooney relocated to Thailand, an arrangement was established whereby Ward would manage the social welfare payments on his behalf.
During this time, the court noted the discrepancy in Ward’s housing claims; he was living at Dolmen Way while receiving rent allowance for a different property.
When asked about the origins of the counterfeit driving license, Ward mentioned that he believed he obtained it approximately a decade ago while in a pub.
The court was informed that Ward has not been known to gardaí following these offences.
He has established a direct debit of €80 per week directed to the Department of Social Protection.
Garda Keane concurred with defense attorney Mark Lynam, noting that both Ward and Mr. Rooney led a “somewhat chaotic” lifestyle during the period when the offences commenced.
Mr. Lynam illuminated that when Mr. Rooney departed for Thailand, he provided Ward with housing, establishing a long-term quid pro quo regarding the social welfare arrangements.
Letters submitted to the court included a notification from Ward’s GP addressing his struggles with depression and anxiety.
There were assertions made by Ward’s counsel that he involved himself in deception during a particularly low point in his life while homeless, never intending for it to extend for such a prolonged period.
Positive testimonials from Ward’s current employer praised him as a dedicated and exceptional worker since his employment began in 2021.
Counsel highlighted that Ward has successfully conquered his alcohol issues and has been the primary caregiver for his partner for the past six years.
While entitled to claim Carers’ Allowance, he has chosen not to do so, as reported in court.
Ward’s daughter also contributed letters, expressing that she had never witnessed her father more “broken and remorseful” than at present.
To facilitate repayments to the State, Ward secured a loan of €15,000 while his partner obtained a €5,000 loan as well.
Ward is wholeheartedly committed to repaying the outstanding debt, as emphasized by his attorney.
Judge Orla Crowe has scheduled the case for finalization on November 20, allowing further time for proceedings.
Or-black-base)”>During this time, the court noted the discrepancy in Ward’s housing claims; he was living at Dolmen Way while receiving rent allowance for a different property.
When asked about the origins of the counterfeit driving license, Ward mentioned that he believed he obtained it approximately a decade ago while in a pub.
The court was informed that Ward has not been known to gardaí following these offences.
He has established a direct debit of €80 per week directed to the Department of Social Protection.
Garda Keane concurred with defense attorney Mark Lynam, noting that both Ward and Mr. Rooney led a “somewhat chaotic” lifestyle during the period when the offences commenced.
Mr. Lynam illuminated that when Mr. Rooney departed for Thailand, he provided Ward with housing, establishing a long-term quid pro quo regarding the social welfare arrangements.
Letters submitted to the court included a notification from Ward’s GP addressing his struggles with depression and anxiety.
There were assertions made by Ward’s counsel that he involved himself in deception during a particularly low point in his life while homeless, never intending for it to extend for such a prolonged period.
Positive testimonials from Ward’s current employer praised him as a dedicated and exceptional worker since his employment began in 2021.
