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Dublin mum who made false document so man could claim PUP payment was ‘under duress’

Marinela Gaina (35) begged a judge to leave her without a conviction, saying she faced losing her job

Today at 07:10

A mother of two who made a false document that a man was living with her so he could apply for the Covid-19 payment was “under duress” at the time, a court heard.

Marinela Gaina (35) begged a judge to leave her without a conviction, saying she faced losing her job.

Judge David McHugh ordered Gaina to complete the restorative justice services programme and adjourned sentencing to April.

The judge said he would consider leaving Gaina without a conviction if she cooperated fully with the Probation Service.

The defendant, with an address at St Brigid’s Park in Blanchardstown, admitted providing a false address declaration to the Department of Social Protection on January 29, 2015.

Garda Louise Keane told Blanchardstown District Court that Gaina provided a letter that a man, who is facing charges in the circuit court, was living with her at an address in Cabra.

Gda Keane said Gaina also provided a bill in her own name.

This enabled the man to apply for a PPS number, and then apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

The court heard Gaina had never been in trouble before.

Defence solicitor Valerie Buckley said Gaina was a mother of two young children, and had lived in Ireland since 2010.

Ms Buckley said Gaina was extremely cooperative with gardaí, and had not come to garda attention before or after this incident, which took place in 2015.

Ms Buckley said Gaina had worked consistently since she arrived in Ireland, but her job would be at risk if a conviction was recorded against her. Ms Buckley asked the judge to consider leaving Gaina without a conviction.

Judge McHugh said Gaina had “engaged in deception”.

Ms Buckley said Gaina facilitated, but was not the instigator. Asked by Judge McHugh if Gaina was under duress, Gda Keane said she believed that she was.