Man who walked into a garda station had no identification and no money
A man arrived at a County Kildare garda station with no identification and no money.
Nabaz Salh, 32, of no known address (although an address in Portlaoise was later provided in court) was prosecuted for not having a passport, identification for proof of nationality on March 25, which is a breach of the Immigration Act.
Naas District Court heard he presented at Kilcock garda station at around 5pm.
He was unable to give a reason for his trip to Ireland or provide an address. He was arrested under section 13 of the Immigration Act and he was brought to Leixlip garda station in a bid to verify his details.
The court heard that he came from Iraq, entering illegally in a trick, which stopped in Kilcock.
The court was also told that he was trying to get to Portlaoise “to meet a female he met online.”
Defending solicitor David Powderly said that it is not up to the court to establish the man’s identity.
Mr Powderly said that until recently undocumented people were asked to remain and apply for asylum.
But this has changed and now people who arrive in Ireland with no documents are taken into custody and charged.
There are many individuals who are in custody, he added.
He added the defendant is a Kurd from Kurdistan which is self-governing unofficially and “it’s ruled by various factions or militias.”
He pointed out that the man's fiancee was in court and accommodation can be provided for him.
He also pointed out the man did not try to evade the authorities. It is not possible for him to get documents and he is applying for asylum.
The court heard that the man could be fined up to €3,000 or imprisoned for a maximum of 12 months or both.
Sgt Mary Meade said there was no reason to dispute how he said he got here.
Judge Desmond Zaidan said he has reservations about the case because nobody knows his identity and this makes a mockery of the administration of justice.
He said the immigration system is open to abuse but it was a positive for the man that he presented himself to the authorities.
He bound the man to the peace for 12 months.