Courts / Dublin / Report

Court overturns citizenship ruling for Russian man who claims he was born in Dublin during WW2

Date
2017-02-03

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Court of Appeal overturned a 2015 High Court ruling that Sergey Chesnokov, a 76‑year‑old Russian man, had been born in Dublin in September 1940 and was entitled to Irish citizenship. The High Court had accepted documentary evidence and directed that his birth be registered in Ireland, but the appeal court found that the evidence did not support his claim of an Irish birth. Justice Mary Irvine said the evidence was "not adequate to establish as a matter of probability" that he was born in Dublin on the alleged date and location. The appeal was upheld unanimously, the High Court order to register his birth was vacated, and the case was adjourned for a week to allow both parties to consider the decision. Mr Chesnokov was not present at the hearing. The decision does not affect any subsequent applications for citizenship or other matters.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court overturns citizenship ruling for Russian man who claims he was born in Dublin during WW2. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

September 1940 Hearing Or Sentence
October 1940 Other
2017-02-03 Publication

Why: His birth was registered with the Soviet authorities in October 1940, but was not registered with the Irish authorities because of his parent's fears it might be seen as anti-Soviet. CNI source report