Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10126Fraud and forgery · Co. Laois

Laois man accused of Basic Payments Scheme grant fraud and forgery

Paul Gilligan (49), of Aviola, Brockera, Ballyfin, Co Laois, was arrested and charged at Abbeyleix Garda Station; the date is not given. He appeared before Portlaoise District Court, as reported on 8 April 2026, accused of forgery and of dishonestly making gain from Department of Agriculture Basic Payments Scheme grants, with offences alleged between 2016 and 2020. The DPP directed that he face trial. The latest development is that Judge Susan Fay adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on 11 May for service of the book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Paul Gilligan (49) of Aviola, Brockera, Ballyfin, Co Laois, is accused of forgery and of dishonestly making gain from Basic Payments Scheme grants.
Other details
  • The grants concerned are Department of Agriculture basic payment scheme grants.
  • The charges are allegations and no finding has been made.
Where
He was arrested and charged at Abbeyleix Garda Station.
When
  • The arrest and charge date is not given in the sources.
  • The grant inducements are alleged between May 12 and December 30, 2016; May 10 and December 5, 2017; May 8 and December 4, 2018; and June 3 and December 18, 2019.
Charges
  • He is accused of forgery in relation to a €1,000 cheque dated October 13, 2016 and a €75 cheque dated October 14, 2016.
  • He is accused of forgery in relation to a €3,300 cheque dated November 6, 2018 and a €2,500 cheque dated November 9, 2018.
  • He is accused of using a false instrument in relation to a form for changing a herd number on May 13, 2020.
In court
  • He appeared before Portlaoise District Court, as reported on April 8, 2026.
  • The DPP directed that he face trial over the allegations.
  • Judge Susan Fay adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on May 11 for service of the book of evidence.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is Paul Gilligan, 49, of Aviola, Brockera, Ballyfin. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested and charged at Abbeyleix Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeA man appeared in court accused of forgery and dishonestly making gain from Basic Payments Scheme grants. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of dishonestly inducing Department of Agriculture basic payment scheme grants between May 2016 and December 2019. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of forgery in relation to a €1,000 cheque on October 13, 2016. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of using a false instrument in relation to a form for changing a herd number on May 13, 2020. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the defendant face trial over the allegations. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Susan Fay adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 11 for service of the book of evidence. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Apr2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois man in court over basic payments scheme grant allegations

    First report of the court appearance: the accused's name, age and address, the grant and cheque charges, the arrest and charge at Abbeyleix Garda Station, and the adjournment to 11 May.

    accused, Paul Gilligan, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Gilligan