Courts / Dublin / Report
Grandmother illegally trafficked 9-year-old child into Ireland
Summary
A 54‑year‑old South African grandmother was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with the final 15 months suspended, for illegally trafficking a nine‑year‑old child into Ireland. She flew into the country with the child, claiming to be the child's mother at immigration control, and presented a forged affidavit and birth certificate. WhatsApp messages between her and the child's father, who had abducted the child from the mother's custody, directed her on what to say at the border. The father had been living in the UK and had arranged the fake documents and €1,310 found on her. The grandmother pleaded guilty, admitted she had no knowledge that the child had been kidnapped, and expressed a desire for a romantic relationship with the father. The judge noted her lack of prior convictions and her difficult background, and imposed the suspended sentence on the condition she leave the jurisdiction and never return.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Grandmother illegally trafficked 9-year-old child into Ireland. Charges or matters: organising or knowingly facilitating the entry into the State of a person she knew or had reasonable cause to believe was an illegal immigrant or intending to seek asylum at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport on September 4, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 4, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-04-11 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: organising or knowingly facilitating the entry into the State of a person she knew or had reasonable cause to believe was an illegal immigrant or intending to seek asylum at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport on September 4, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The 54-year-old woman, who today received a partly suspended two and a half year sentence, was unaware that the child had been abducted by the father from the mother's custody during a visit. Judge Greally imposed a two and half year sentence and suspended the final 15 months on condition the woman leave the jurisdiction and never return.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- was interviewed at Ballymun Garda Station
- Ballymun
Topics
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