Two men living in the Midlands appear in court in relation to PPS fraud case
The two men were charged with fraud in connection with the use of a PPS number
Two men who appeared in court charged with fraud in connection with the use of a PPS number will return before Longford District Court in May.
Marcelo Archanjo De Oliveira whose given address was above Mitchell Meats, Main Street, Drumlish, Longford was charged with one offence.
The defendant is accused of by deception inducing a named individual to provide him with employment on March 6, 2022 at The Park Hotel, Kiltimagh, Mayo.
Co-defendant Clecio Riberio Novaes, who had the same address, was charged with an offence on the same date.
Mr Riberio Novaes's charge is that on dates between February 17, 2022 and March 1, 2022 he aided Mr Archanjo De Oliveira to commit an indictable offence, fraud, by providing a PPS number belonging to another person.
The court was told the defendants were arrested on the morning of the court sitting by appointment.
When the charge was put to Mr Archanjo De Oliveira he replied 'Okay', while when Mr Riberio Novaes was arrested and cautioned he apologised.
The Director of Public Prosecution had consented to have the charges against the two men dealt with in the District Court as the facts of the two cases are connected.
Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh, acting for both defendants, explained to the court that Mr Archanjo De Oliveira came to the country over a year ago on a tourist visa and had stayed with his brother in law.
The defendant was looking for work and used a PPS belonging to a third party to gain employment at the hotel. He used a bank account of his brother-in-law to collect his wages.
Ms Mimnagh said that nobody was at a loss as a result of the offence. The matter came to light when the third party, who no longer lives in Ireland, was contacted about the use of their PPS number.
Accepting jurisdiction over the matter Judge Owens remanded both defendants on continuing bail to come before the court on May 7 for facts and penalty.