Man who rorted flood and COVID relief to fuel $1500-a-day ice habit walks free

In the months after a historic flood razed much of a city, damaged thousands of homes and displaced families, a drug user fraudulently claimed thousands of dollars in disaster payments to fund his ice addiction.

Brodie O’Hanlon admitted making 70 fraudulent claims for disaster and COVID-19 relief payments between March and July 2022, including many through a federal government program for Lismore flood victims.

While residing in Leeton, in the NSW Riverina, O’Hanlon made false claims of living and working in the devastated Northern Rivers city to receive $9000 in relief payments.

He got another $9000 by using false identities in a scheme supporting workers affected by COVID-19 pandemic isolation.

O’Hanlon, then 25, made further attempts to claim flood assistance worth $25,000 and COVID-19 payments of $30,000, but he either withdrew them or they were rejected after being identified as fraudulent.

He pleaded guilty in the NSW District Court to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and for attempting to do so.

In late 2024, O’Hanlon was sentenced to 26 months’ jail, with an order he pay back the money and be released on a good behaviour bond in November 2025 after serving one year.

But on Monday, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal instead ordered his immediate release after eight months, finding the sentencing judge was not presented with subjective evidence about his severe disadvantage.

The appeal court heard O’Hanlon had a $1500-per-day ice habit, which began after the death of his mother.

He was exposed to violence and alcoholism as a child growing up in far western NSW, drinking up to four litres of wine every day from the age of 12.

O’Hanlon had tried to go into drug rehabilitation in 2024, but relapsed while he was on a long waiting list and went on to be jailed for separate domestic violence and driving offences.

He told a psychologist he was remorseful for the fraud, but it seemed like a better option than robbing someone, the court was told.

While in jail, O’Hanlon worked as a farm hand, attended Narcotics Anonymous meetings and stayed off drugs.

“He says he wants to remain abstinent. Of course, the path to his rehabilitation may not be straightforward once he is released and he may be subject to temptation and influenced by anti-social peers,” Justice Andrew Coleman said, in reasons supported by two appeals judges.

“If he engages with services ... and fulfils his stated desire to enter residential rehabilitation on release, I consider that his prospects of resisting such temptations and influence will be strengthened.”

O’Hanlon has more than $16,000 left to repay and will be under the supervision of Community Corrections upon his release.