Courts / Dublin / Report
'Ghosts': men unlawfully helped into State 'haven't been seen since'
Summary
An Indian national, Ayyappan Govindaraj, 41, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for unlawfully assisting two other men to enter Ireland. The court heard that on 7 June 2024, an immigration officer at Dublin Airport was approached by the two men who claimed to have lost their passports. Govindaraj presented an Indian passport and a genuine seaman's book, claiming he was to join a vessel, but the officer found no evidence of such a ship and noted the men had no return flight. The men were initially denied entry but were later allowed to apply for international protection; however, they have not been seen since leaving the airport and did not apply for protection. The judge, Patricia Ryan, noted no financial gain or coercion and backdated the sentence to the arrest date. The case is one of the first prosecuted under the Immigration Act's section 4. Ayyappan Govindaraj pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Ghosts': men unlawfully helped into State 'haven't been seen since'. Charges or matters: one count of intentionally assisting the entry into the State of another person in breach of section 4 of the Immigration Act, where he knew or had reasonable cause to believe this was a breach of this provision. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- June 7, 2024 Incident
- 2025-10-17 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of intentionally assisting the entry into the State of another person in breach of section 4 of the Immigration Act, where he knew or had reasonable cause to believe this was a breach of this provision (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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