Waterford 'pastor' sentenced for social welfare fraud

A Waterford man, who claims to be a pastor, was sentenced last week for collecting over €50,000 in disability allowance payments whilst living outside the country.

Desmond Breen (58), of Forest Lodge, Lemybrien, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to four counts of theft and two counts of making misleading or false statements.

Whilst he was living in South Africa, Breen was receiving disability allowance payments from the Department of Social Protection, which came to a total value of €54,308.50.

'This is theft'

Breen’s defense counsel, Mr. Gareth Hayden BL, said that while in South Africa, Breen was made pastor of a Christian church, was working with a charity and would give food to the poor.

Gardaí said they were unable to confirm whether the man was actually a pastor.

During his interview with Gardaí, Breen was asked if he was aware that he had no entitlements to be receiving a disability allowance while living outside of the country, to which he responded “I am fully aware of it now”.

At the time of the court hearing on April 9, Breen still owed approximately €51,962 in outstanding repayments, which he was repaying at a rate of €20 per week.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly outlined that Breen would be 108 years old by the time the fees are fully paid off, describing the rate as “not realistic”. 

“This is theft and you can’t argue about that,” Judge O’Kelly said.

It was suggested that the sale of the man’s property, Forest Lodge, should be considered to obtain additional funds.

The matter was adjourned until a “realistic plan” could be conjured for repayment.

Sentencing 

The matter resumed last week, where Mr. Hayden BL outlined to Judge O’Kelly that Forest Lodge is in a dilapidated condition and its monetary value is quite low.

Mr. Hayden also suggested that his client would become a “burden on the state” should he sell his home, and that he would be merely “giving with one hand and taking with another”.

Breen’s probation report outlined that he was fully compliant during investigations and he accepted responsibility for wrongdoings. His previous convictions include minor road traffic offences.

A sentence of three years and nine months was suspended for a period of 10 years on the condition that Breen repays €100 per week during the entirety of that period.

Judge O’Kelly said that should he not adhere to this repayment schedule, there will be "no doubt that the period of imprisonment will be activated".

Breen was also sentenced to 200 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year prison sentence.