Teenager does not exist on any records

A FEMALE, claiming she is 18 years of age, is causing concern for a judge who cannot sentence her for a theft charge and failing to give gardai identification - because she does not exist on any records in the State.

The female, who was arrested in Dundalk last Wednesday, April 26th for the offence of stealing two eyebrow pencils worth €10.29 from Penneys in the town, initially told gardai her name is ‘Rosie Peterson’ with a date of birth January 2nd, 1999.

The mystery woman claimed she came to the State from Saudi Arabia but as gardai could not establish her identity as there is no record of her having entered the country and no record of her existing in Ireland, Judge John Coughlan was left with no option but to remand her in custody, to give gardai more time to establish her identity. She was remanded to appear before Drogheda District Court last Friday.

She then gave gardai a different name ‘Sarah Imarogbe’ with a date of birth of March 16th, 1999.

Defence barrister Ronan O’Carroll said at last Friday’s court sitting his instructions are that she was initially living in Holland and came to Ireland from there but that no documents exist for her.

He said the defendant, of No Fixed Abode in Dundalk, wanted to plead guilty to the two offences which happened at Penneys, Marshes Shopping Centre in Dundalk and at Dundalk Garda Station on April 26th.

However, Judge Coughlan said he cannot deal with the case as ‘we don’t know who she is.’

‘ The problem is she has no documents, no passport, we don’t know who she is,’ said Judge Coughlan, adding ‘ her story has changed’ as to where she came from. ‘ She is due to appear again before Drogheda District Court on Tuesday.