Courts / Kildare / Report
Aer Lingus worker accused of helping illegal immigrants enter the State gets legal aid
Summary
A judge has granted legal aid to Frederick Cham, 61, an Aer Lingus worker accused of helping illegal immigrants enter Ireland. Cham, who lives in Railway Cottages, Hazelhatch, Celbridge, Co. Kildare and was born in Hong Kong, faces trial on two charges of organising or facilitating the entry of non‑Irish nationals into the State on 9 January and 22 January. He was arrested by the Garda National Immigration Bureau and sent to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Previously denied legal aid, Cham's application was renewed after the court heard that he had not fully disclosed assets, including two bank accounts in the UK and Hong Kong, and that he owned a 1996 Mini Cooper and a 2007 Alfa Romeo. Lawyers argued he earned €400 a week with Aer Lingus, his salary had ceased, and his wife in China depended on him.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Aer Lingus worker accused of helping illegal immigrants enter the State gets legal aid. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- January 9 Incident
- January 22 Incident
- 2017-08-02 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Places mentioned
Topics
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