Man goes to Longford Circuit Court on multiple PUP fraud charges

A man charged with defrauding the State out of thousands of euro in Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) assistance is to be sent forward for trial.
Cristiano Feitosa Vaz, 3 St Joseph's Terrace, Granard, Co Longford, was served with a book of evidence at last week's sitting of Longford District Court.

The court heard the accused was to stand trial accused with 12 sample counts of alleged fraud under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
They allege Mr Feitosa Vaz fraudulently obtained payments totalling €4,200 at Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Granard, Co Longford on dates between April 14 and June 30 2020.
Mr Feitosa Vaz was initially charged in July 2021 and made no reply when the alleged offences were put to him.

Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were returned later in the year which provided the matter could be disposed of in the District Court 'summarily' on the proviso Mr Feitosa Vaz tendered a guilty plea.
Those alleged offences totalled an overall €4,200.
Garda Eamon Fitzpatrick gave evidence of having served the book of evidence on Mr Feitosa Vaz.
Defence solicitor Frank Gearty applied for legal aid on behalf of his client and for one junior counsel to be assigned to the case.

The court was told the accused was being sent forward for trial on 12 alleged counts of alleged PUP fraud.
Judge Bernadette Owens gave the accused an alibi warning, informing him that if he intends to rely on the defence of an alibi he must, within 14 days, notify the Prosecution of this in writing.

Mr Feitosa Vaz was sent forward for trial on his own bond of €500 and remanded on continuing bail to the next sessions of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on May 9.