Kildare judge lashes 'laughable' Irish immigration laws as man is held 'with stolen goods'
He said people can simply ’walk in here’ - referring to man held at a venue in Sallins for these seeking asylum here
Local district court judge Desmond Zaidan has lambasted the ease with which non-nationals can enter the Republic of Ireland.
He commented, at Naas District Court, it is so easy to breach the immigration laws in Ireland that “it is laughable.”
He said the legislation governing immigration in Ireland is being brought into disrepute and the defendant could “walk in here.”
He said the objections to bail were well founded and added “I’ve no doubt he is a flight risk.”
He said the defendant is “breaching immigration laws here and in another country.”
He commented as a man has appeared in court after gardaí allegedly found about 150 stolen items at an accommodation centre for people seeking asylum in Sallins.
Before Naas District Court was Thuan Hoang, 29, whose address was given as No 9 Waterways Hotel, Sallins.
The total value of the items, which were taken from Boots, Aldi, Marks & Spencer and Supervalu, was put at €3,300 and individually they range in value from €120 to €10.
It was alleged that he was in the Supervalu store in Sallins and was identified on CCTV.
The court heard the man was in an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre.
Garda Gary Callanan told the court the defendant was detained on May 26 and the proceedings were translated for the defendant by a Vietnamese interpreter.
The garda added the man said the items were found in a suitcase and a holdall bag and he said he bought the goods on the street adding “I believe they were stolen.”
Gda Callanan said the man told him that he had been apprehended by immigration authorities in England, having arrived there from France. He said he was dealing with immigration authorities in the UK and he did not answer bail there.
He added that he was known by three names in England and he is listed as an "absconder" in the UK by immigration authorities.
“I’m still trying to establish if he is wanted,” he said, adding he would not be happy that the man would turn up in court if he was granted bail.
The garda added that after the man was apprehended he was to have signed on but he didn't and made his way to Ireland, via Belfast Port, having secured “some form of bail.”
“He’s living in an IPAS centre in Sallins,” he added.
The man was in the country for six/seven weeks and the garda said he was not aware of any previous convictions.
The court was told the alleged stolen items included clothes, fragrances, make up brushes, foundation, false eyelashes, vitamins and creams.
The defendant is being prosecuted for having the goods knowing they were stolen or being reckless as to whether they were stolen.
Gda Callanan said a file is being prepared and this will take at least four weeks.
Solicitor David Powderly said the defendant was in an IPAS centre in the west of Ireland initially and then moved to Sallins. Mr Powderly said the defendant had told him that the three names are three versions of the same name.
Mr Powderly said the man would honour any bail conditions. He noted he committed no crime in the UK and added there is an immigration issue “which can be resolved.” Mr Powderly also said that the man was anxious that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions about how the case will proceed should be secured as soon as possible
The court was told that when charged the defendant replied “I did not steal”. The court also heard that there is a co-accused, a female, who was given garda station bail.
Judge Desmond Zaidan commented that it is so easy to breach the immigration laws in Ireland that “it is laughable.”
He said the legislation governing immigration in Ireland is being brought into disrepute and the defendant could “walk in here.”
He said the objections to bail were well founded and added “I’ve no doubt he is a flight risk.”
He said the defendant is “breaching immigration laws here and in another country.”
The judge remanded the defendant in custody and he subsequently appeared in court via videolink and the brief proceedings were relayed to him via the interpreter.