Benefits claimed for dead father

A Northern Ireland man who admitted falsely claiming nearly £34,000 in benefits for his dead father told police he was sorry …

A Northern Ireland man who admitted falsely claiming nearly £34,000 in benefits for his dead father told police he was sorry when finally caught. Belfast Crown Court heard that for four years Walter McVeigh (45), from Dromara Street, Belfast, not only claimed income support and an attendance allowance but also collected his 85-year-old dead father's pension and invalidity benefit.

The defence lawyer, Mr John Cushnahan, said McVeigh, an alcoholic, returned from England to look after his father following the death of his mother in 199O.

Sentence was deferred for six months.