A man from Omagh, Northern Ireland has been imprisoned for defrauding the benefits system of £126,000 over a period of two decades.
Michael McDonagh, 43, of Slievecoole Park, received an 18-month sentence at Dungannon Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.
The offences spanned from August 2003 to July 2023, during which McDonagh used fraudulent identity documents to claim various benefits.
He operated under the false names 'Tom', 'Christopher' and 'Ciaran' to access Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and other welfare payments.
A man from Omagh has been imprisoned for defrauding the benefits system
PAThe court was told that McDonagh's 20-year deception funded a persistent gambling addiction, leaving him with "no gain" from the stolen funds.
Judge Brian Sherrard condemned the fraud as a "tremendous amount" stolen through a "selfish act".
He described it as a "dishonest extraction" of taxpayers' money from an already strained social welfare budget.
Judge Sherrard said: "It's an offence against the community.
The offences spanned from August 2003 to July 2023
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The court heard that while McDonagh has started repaying the stolen funds through legitimately claimed benefits, the judge noted the debt would likely never be fully recovered.
Judge Sherrard characterised the case as "closer to organised fraud", observing that such offences were "easy to commit" but challenging to detect.
He emphasised the need for a deterrent sentence.
The court was informed that McDonagh faces a high risk of reoffending due to his gambling problems.
His criminal history includes previous dishonesty-related convictions for forgery and using false documents, alongside motoring offences.
McDonagh will serve nine months in prison, with the remaining nine months to be served on licence.
Despite beginning to make repayments, the court acknowledged the improbability of full restitution given the substantial sum involved.
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