A salesman who claimed more than €9,000 in illegal social welfare payments claimed his employer told him he could work for one year while claiming benefits.
Charles McGee took up a job as a salesman with worldwide fertiliser company Timac Agro Ltd in Co Donegal.
However, for 48 weeks McGee continued to claim social welfare payments mounting to €9,024.
Department of Social Welfare Inspector, Joe Harrison told Letterkenny District Court that he interviewed McGee on March 1st, 2015.
He admitted that he now realised that he was breaking the law.
However, solicitor for McGee, Mr Michael Sheil, said his client claimed that Timac Agro Ltd told his client that he could work for a year before he had to declare his income to the Department of Social Protection.
Mr Shiel added that his McGee, of Lettermore, Drumkeen, now accepted that this was never the case.
There was no legal appearance on behalf of Timac Agro Ltd.
McGee, whom the court was told has health difficulties, did not appear in court.
Judge Paul Kelly was told that McGee only worked for the company for a year.
A total of €28 per week was now being taken from his farm assist payments and that he had paid back €4,004 with an outstanding balance of €5,020.
Judge Kelly fined the accused €250 for illegally claiming social welfare payments on January 3rd, 2012 and took two further summons into account.