South African grandmother sentenced over trafficking of child

Court told woman was unaware child had been abducted by father from mother’s custody

A South African grandmother who illegally trafficked a nine-year-old child into Ireland was hoping that a romantic relationship might develop with the child’s father, a court has heard.

The 54-year-old woman, who on Thursday received a partly suspended 2½-year sentence, was unaware that the child had been abducted by the father from the mother’s custody during a visit. Nothing can be published that may identify the child.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the woman flew into Ireland with the child and posed as the child’s mother at immigration control under directions of the father in the UK via WhatsApp.

She aroused the suspicions of immigration officials who found the WhatsApp conversation with the child’s father on her phone giving her instructions on what to say at border control.

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The woman pleaded guilty to organising or knowingly facilitating the entry into the State of a person she knew or had reasonable cause to believe was an illegal immigrant or intending to seek asylum at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on September 4th, 2018.

Fake affidavit

She also admitted the use of a fake affidavit purporting to give her permission to travel with the child and a fake birth certificate for the child on the same occasion.

The court heard that the relationship between the child’s father and real mother had broken down. The mother had custody of the child but the father had abducted the child during a visit and brought them to live with a relative in another country, while he lived in the UK.

Gardaí were able to make contact with the mother of the child and, following a DNA test, the child is to be returned to her custody. A Tusla report indicated the child is doing well.

Dean Kelly, defending, said the woman, who works two jobs in South Africa earning a very modest income, had a number of children and grandchildren who were financially dependent on her.

He said she had been deserted by her husband who left her to begin a new relationship.

Counsel said she had known the child’s father previously in South Africa and there had been a “romantic aspect” to it. He said they stayed in touch via WhatsApp and she had been “used” to carry out this offence for a man with whom she hoped there would be a romantic future.

Letter of apology

He handed in a letter of apology in which she said realised she had committed a crime and made a mistake but said she would never have done had she known the full facts. Mr Kelly said all she wanted was to return home to her family, who were in financial straits without her.

Judge Melanie Greally noted the woman was not aware the child had been abducted by the father and was not aware of the full illegality of her actions in bringing the child into Ireland.

She said the woman had been trying to win favour with the child’s father in whom she had a romantic interest, which she hoped would develop into something more permanent.

Judge Greally imposed a 2½-year sentence and suspended the final 15 months on condition she leave the jurisdiction and never return.