A French music teacher who had dual identities so he could work and claim social welfare has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Daniel Daudet (40) obtained a PPS number under the name Alexander Daude in 2002 and used this to claim €175,000 in unemployment, Back to Education and rent allowances on dates up to 2015.
He got a PPS number using his real name a year later and between March 2011 and May 2012 claimed social welfare payments under both names.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the Dublin penthouse Daudet shared with his husband and occasional Airbnb guests was rented at €3,000 a month and had its own private swimming pool.
During the trial, the jury heard Daudet altered his ID card to apply for the Alexander Daude PPS number using Tippex, a printer and scanner.
Daudet, of Baltrasna House, Spencer Dock, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last November of using a false instrument in Dublin on July 10th, 2002 and of using a false French national identity card within the State on August 15th, 2008.
He was also found guilty of 711 further charges of fraudulently claiming social welfare payments from August 2002 to August 2015. Daudet has no previous convictions.
Judge Melanie Greally said the offences had involved “significant and sustained dishonesty.” She said they had occurred over a significant time and involved a substantial amount.
She said he had been using taxpayers’ money to part-fund a lifestyle he could otherwise not afford.
Judge Greally gave Daudet credit for matters including his previous good character, academic and musical achievements, testimonials and references handed in to court, as well as the arrangements he has put into place to repay the money.
She also took into account he will be struck off the register of music teachers and that his bail conditions had restricted his ability to see his elderly parents who live in France.
Judge Greally imposed concurrent sentences totalling three-and-a -half years.