Sunday 1 November 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. 21696Fraud (Pandemic Unemployment Payment fraud) · Co. Longford · 14 Apr 2020

Man sent for trial on PUP fraud charges in Longford

Cristiano Feitosa Vaz of Granard, Co Longford, was sent forward for trial at Longford District Court in March 2023 on 12 sample counts of alleged fraud under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The charges allege he fraudulently obtained Pandemic Unemployment Payment totalling €4,200 at Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Granard, on dates between April 14 and June 30, 2020. He was initially charged in July 2021 and was served with a book of evidence at the district court sitting, where he made no reply when the offences were put to him. Judge Bernadette Owens gave him an alibi warning and he was remanded on continuing bail to the next sessions of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on May 9, 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The alleged fraud involved obtaining Pandemic Unemployment Payment totalling €4,200.
Where
  • The payments were allegedly obtained at Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Granard, Co Longford.
  • The accused lives at 3 St Joseph's Terrace, Granard, Co Longford.
When
The alleged payments were made on dates between April 14 and June 30, 2020.
Charges
He was charged with 12 sample counts of fraud under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Investigation
He was initially charged in July 2021.
In court
  • He was served with a book of evidence at a sitting of Longford District Court in March 2023 and made no reply when the offences were put to him.
  • DPP directions provided the matter could be disposed of summarily on the proviso of a guilty plea.
  • Judge Bernadette Owens gave the accused an alibi warning requiring written notice to the prosecution within 14 days.
  • He was sent forward for trial on his own bond of €500.
  • He was remanded on continuing bail to the next sessions of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on May 9, 2023.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe alleged payments totalled €4,200. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe alleged fraud involved obtaining PUP payments totalling €4,200. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe accused lives at 3 St Joseph's Terrace, Granard, Co Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe payments were obtained at Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Granard, Co Longford. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged payments were made on dates between April 14 and June 30, 2020. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenHe was initially charged in July 2021. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Eamon Fitzpatrick gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the accused. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Eamon Fitzpatrick served the book of evidence on the accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is to stand trial on 12 sample counts of alleged fraud under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with 12 sample counts of fraud under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe was served with a book of evidence at last week's sitting of Longford District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtHe made no reply when the alleged offences were put to him. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtDPP directions provided the matter could be disposed of summarily on the proviso of a guilty plea. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtDefence solicitor Frank Gearty applied for legal aid and for one junior counsel to be assigned. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens gave the accused an alibi warning requiring written notice to the prosecution within 14 days. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtHe was sent forward for trial on his own bond of €500. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded on continuing bail to the next sessions of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on May 9. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtDPP directions provided the matter could be disposed of summarily if a guilty plea was tendered. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens gave the accused an alibi warning requiring written notice within 14 days. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Mar2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, its first report
    Midlands man charged with defrauding State out of thousands of euro in Covid-19 payments

    Reports the sending-forward for trial at Longford District Court, the 12 sample counts of PUP fraud totalling €4,200, the alibi warning, and remand on continuing bail to Longford Circuit Criminal Court on 9 May 2023.

    accused, Cristiano Feitosa Vaz, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Cristiano Feitosa Vaz
  2. 29 Mar2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man in the Midlands sent to Circuit Court on multiple PUP fraud charges

    Provides details of the Longford District Court hearing including the alibi warning, legal aid application, DPP directions for summary disposal, and bail conditions.

    suspect, Cristiano Feitosa Vaz, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Cristiano Feitosa Vaz