Ireland Man who claimed social welfare using relative's PPS number avoids jail
Thomasz Pysz, 46, of Clonee, Dublin, originally from Poland, claimed more than €25,000 in social welfare payments between 2019 and 2021 using the PPS number of his brother-in-law, who had left Ireland in 2016 to work. A complaint was made to Gardaí in September 2021, and Pysz pleaded guilty to four sample counts of theft from the Department of Social Welfare. On 7 April 2025 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended, and a bank account containing €10,917 was frozen and transferred to the Department, with an outstanding debt of €21,814 still recorded.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced7 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Thomasz Pysz claimed more than €25,000 in social welfare payments using the PPS number of his brother-in-law.
- The payments included €9,235.50 in Disability Allowance and €16,303 in Pandemic Unemployment Payments.
- Where
- The offences were committed against the Department of Social Welfare and the case was heard in Dublin.
- When
- The offences took place between 2019 and 2021.
- The brother-in-law whose PPS number was used left Ireland in 2016.
- A complaint was made to Gardaí in September 2021 that Pysz was using two PPS numbers.
- Investigation
- Gardaí showed a photograph of Pysz to the building company owner, who identified him as the man who had left Ireland.
- Charges
- Pysz pleaded guilty to four sample counts of theft from the Department of Social Welfare between 2019 and 2021.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the judge, Martin Nolan, said the defendant did not deserve to go to prison.
- Sentence
- Pysz was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended.
- His bank account containing €10,917 was frozen and transferred to the Department of Social Welfare.
- Other details
- An outstanding debt of €21,814 remains, and Pysz has a separate payment agreement with the Department.
- The defence cited Pysz's mental health issues and partial repayment, and his brother-in-law has not been charged.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe claimed more than €25,000 in social welfare payments using the PPS number of his brother-in-law (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe received €9,235.50 in Disability Allowance (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe received €16,303 in Pandemic Unemployment Payments (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThere is an outstanding debt of €21,814 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenA complaint was made to Gardaí in September 2021 that he was using two PPS numbers (irishmirror.ie)
- whenHis brother-in-law left Ireland in 2016 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí showed the building company owner a photograph of the accused, who identified him as the man who had left Ireland (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePysz pleaded guilty to four sample counts of theft from the Department of Social Welfare between 2019 and 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan said the defendant did not deserve to go to prison (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHis bank account containing €10,917 was frozen and transferred to the Department of Social Welfare (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPysz is originally from Poland (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPysz has mental health issues (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe has a separate payment agreement with the Department (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Apr2025Man who claimed €25k with PPS no. of relative who had left Ireland avoids jail
Sentencing report: 20 months suspended with bank account containing €10,917 frozen and transferred to the Department; defence highlighted mental health issues and partial repayment; outstanding debt of €21,814; brother-in-law not charged.
convicted, Thomasz Pysz, 46, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Thomasz Pysz