DEPORTED MAN ‘HAD FAKE PASSPORT’

A Kosovan national who was before Dundalk District Court accused of having a false passport at the local social welfare office was discovered to have been deported from Ireland in 2013 but returned.

The immigration status of Nexhmedin Emini, (27), 26 Primrose Avenue, Esker Hills, Portlaoise, was queried by Judge John Coughlan who wanted to know: ‘is he legal?’

The defendant was before the court accused of having and using a false Belgian passport at the Social Protection offices at St Alphonusus Road on March 25 2015.

Solicitor Conor MacGuill said his client ‘ has made an application and is validly in the country’, but Judge Coughlan wondered how that could be the case ‘ because he’s from outside the EU’.

The judge said: ‘ How did he get into the country? He’s from outside the EU so how is he here legally?’ The solicitor said it was his understanding that Emini is ‘ here with the blessing of the Department of Justice’. The judge said he wanted a Garda to ‘ring up the justice department and find out what this man’s legal status is’. He adjourned the case for a short time and when it was recalled, Gardai said they had learned Emini had previously been deported from Ireland in 2013 and had returned.

In addition, he is currently the subject of a deportation order but Mr MacGuill said this is being judicially reviewed by barristers acting for Emini in Dublin.

Sgt. Fintain McGroder said the State needed a further eight weeks for the DPP to give directions in the case and Judge Coughlan adjourned the matter to May 10.