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Jail for man who was paid to illegally traffic people into Ireland
Summary
Saleban Abdisahar, a 30‑year‑old Swedish‑Somalian man with no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for illegally trafficking five people into Ireland. He pleaded guilty to three counts of facilitating illegal entry on flights into Dublin Airport on 23 January, 29 January and 18 February 2023. The court found he had moved five individuals who subsequently sought international protection. Abdisahar was paid up to €1,000 for each person smuggled. Judge Martin Nolan described him as the "middle cog" of the operation, noting his early plea, cooperation with Gardaí, lack of prior convictions and low likelihood of reoffending. The sentence was back‑dated to the day he entered custody, 18 February 2023. The case highlighted the role of immigration officers and mobile‑phone evidence in uncovering the smuggling scheme.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man who was paid to illegally traffic people into Ireland. Charges or matters: three counts of facilitating the illegal entry of people into the State on flights into Dublin Airport last January 23, January 29 and February 18. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 23 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 29 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 18 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2022 Other
- 2023-03-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of facilitating the illegal entry of people into the State on flights into Dublin Airport last January 23, January 29 and February 18 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Martin Nolan described Abdisahar as the "middle cog" in the trafficking operation. Abdisahar's three-year sentence was backdated to February 18 last, when he went into custody.
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