This article is from page 25 of the 2006-06-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 25 JPG
TWO foreign nationals detected with false passports at Shannon airport last Thursday have appeared in court.
A 27-year-old Iranian and a 20-yearold Kurd were arrested shortly after 6pm on Thursday, and taken to Shannon Garda Station.
Detective Garda Denis Keating said both were detected at the airport, with false passports. They were travelling together to catch a flight to Toronto.
He said the 20-year-old Kurd was a failed asylum applicant and when charged, said “Thank you so much.”
The 27-year-old applied for political asylum in Greece, four years ago, but failed.
Solicitor Una Moylan, who represented the pair, said the 20-year-old Kurd had lived in Kirkuk. “He was asked by the Basque party to join and refused. They threatened to kill him and he left Iraq, for fear of retaliation. He then went to England and applied for asylum,” said the solicitor.
Referring to the 27-year-old, Ms Moylan said he left Iran four years ago, after his friend was sent to prison.
“He feared he was also going to be sent to prison because of the friendship,” said Ms Moylan.
He had lived in Greece for four years, before moving to London, where he met his co-accused.
Judge Joseph Mangan fined both €100.