State solicitor Frank Nyhan said at the outset of the case at Cork District Court yesterday: “This man was claiming social welfare, mainly jobseekers allowance, between 2004 and 2009 when he was not entitled to it because he was working.

“He was using a different name and PPS number for this purpose but eventually he was run aground in May 2009. Summonses issued for him in 2010.”

In total, over €53,000 was fraudulently claimed. Almost €12,000 was repaid but a balance of over €41,000 is outstanding, Mr Nyhan said.

Mukala Dinanga, aged 39, of 5, Mount St, Francis Gardens, Blackpool, Cork, previously pleaded guilty to a number of charges arising out of the crime.

He failed to appear at Cork District Court earlier this month and yesterday Judge Olann Kelleher adjourned sentencing with the warning that Dinanga was facing the prospect of a jail term.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, emphasised the efforts made by the accused in making repayments to the department in the sum of over €11,000. He said the defendant was in Ireland for 15 years and secured refugee status. His wife is living in the Democratic Republic of The Congo.

Judge Kelleher heard the accused had no previous convictions and suffers from a number of medical issues.

He imposed a six-month sentence suspended for a period of two years on condition that the accused would continue to pay €28.20 per week out of his jobseekers allowance to which he is now entitled.