Courts / Dublin / Report

Notorious on-the-run UK conwoman seeks bail

Date
2020-09-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Farah Damji, a 54-year-old applicant residing at Bachelor's Walk, Dublin 1, appeared before Mr Justice Tony Hunt to apply for bail while awaiting UK extradition proceedings. The State opposed the application, alleging Damji is a flight risk who fled a London trial in February 2024 after being convicted in absentia of breaching a restraining order. Detective Garda Eoin Kane stated Damji faces 27 months' imprisonment in the UK and alleged she entered Ireland using false documents and the name Anna Margaret Vignisdottir. Kane further noted her history of fraud and theft convictions dating back to 1995, and cited a UK psychiatrist report highlighting her "history of forgery" regarding claims of unlawful detention. Damji's counsel, Mr Leo Mulrooney BL, argued she is not a flight risk, citing a PTSD diagnosis and her adherence to previous bail conditions. In her direct evidence, Damji claimed she was suffering from a breakdown and asserted she had an unlawful detention case for 15 months' detention. She denied using false names for rental agreements, stating she did not have one. Mr Justice Hunt questioned the credibility of her claims, noting she disappeared during a trial. The matter was adjourned to Thursday, September 3, for the judge's decision on the bail application.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Notorious on-the-run UK conwoman seeks bail. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

June 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
Thursday, September 3 Adjournment
2020-09-01 Publication

Case subjects

Bachelor's Walk

Applicant

Outcome: Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to Thursday, September 3, for his decision on the bail application.

Farah Damji

Applicant

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; A UK psychiatrist report said that Ms Damji had contacted politicians and high-profile persons about her UK case, claiming unlawful detention, and had documents to say so but he noted her "history of forgery". "It doesn't fill me with confidence," said Det Gda Kane. I've an unlawful detention case for 15 months' detention," said Ms Damji.; Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to Thursday, September 3, for his decision on the bail application.