A 46-year-old man who made a false claim against the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland has never worked and has 19 previous convictions, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard today.
Constantin Iosca with an address at Scholar's Walk, Lusk, Co Dublin claimed he suffered serious injuries after he was hit by a car while cycling in Lusk in 2016.
However, he withdrew his claim on the third day in the High Court after footage was shown of him carrying a wheelchair and walking without assistance.
Ms Justice Patricia Ryan said she will sentence the grandfather and father of three on Monday.
Sergeant Aisling McLaren from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau told the court today she was appointed in March 2020 to investigate a claim of insurance fraud.
Iosca claimed on 10 July 2016 that he had suffered serious injuries to his back, arm and leg after he had been knocked down by a car while cycling his bicycle in Lusk on 1 June 2016.
The insurance company FBD hired D4 security to carry out surveillance on the 46-year-old and they filmed him walking without assistance, carrying a wheelchair, putting it into the boot of a car, and later using the wheelchair and crutches to attend a medical appointment.
Iosca took a case to the High Court on 21 January 2020 but three days later withdrew his claim after the surveillance footage of him was shown.
The 46-year-old was subsequently arrested as part of the criminal investigation but replied "no comment" when questioned.
He was charged, pleaded not guilty but was convicted of deception in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 14 November last.
Iosca was born in Romania and came to Ireland in 1997 when he was 18 years old, but his defence counsel said today that he has never worked because he has no experience of work.
Kieran Kelly told the court that Iosca stays at home with his family and likes to go shopping with them.
He also submitted letters from his partner of 30 years describing him as a caring and understanding individual and said he has a range of health issues, including asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and was on a waiting list for physiotherapy.
The maximum penalty for the offence is five years.
Judge Ryan remanded him on continuing bail for sentence on Monday.
