Egyptian fisherman charged with not having valid identification

An Egyptian fisherman working on an Irish trawler has been remanded on bail after he was charged with a breach of the immigration act when he appeared in court in Co Cork.

Mohamed Elfallah (23) was charged with failing to produce a valid passport or equivalent identification documents at Union Hall pier in Co Cork on November 4th.

The State alleges Mr Elfallah failed to produce the necessary documents when requested to do so by Garda James Crowley contrary to Section 12 of the Immigration Act 2004.

At Bandon District Court, Judge James McNulty noted Mr Elfallah had been brought before him initially at Macroom District Court shortly after his arrest on November 4th.

He had remanded him in custody to allow gardaí check out whether he had a valid passport and if he resided at an address in Co Louth that he had given gardaí.

Insp Jerry Lacey said a relative of Mr Elfallah had produced his passport at Drogheda Garda Station and a photocopy of the passport had been sent to gardaí in West Cork.

Gardaí were satisfied Mr Elfallah was who he said he was and they were also satisfied that he was living at a rental address at Calendar House, Bachelor’s Lane in Drogheda.

He said that in the circumstances gardaí had no objection to Mr Elfallah being released on bail. Mr Elfallah has been working in Ireland for two years as a fisherman.

Judge McNulty granted Mr Elfallah free legal aid after hearing he was earning €500 a week as a fisherman and he appointed solicitor, Ray Hennessy to represent him on the charge.

He noted the charge related to Union Hall and he remanded Mr Elfallah on his own bond of €500 to appear again at Skibbereen District Court on December 8th.