A gentleman who arrived at Dublin Airport without any identification documents or passport has been sentenced to a two-month prison term.
Abrhe Biniyan, who claims to hail from Eritrea and does not have a permanent residence, was arrested and accused of infringing the Immigration Act last week. Biniyan, who states he’s 20 years old, initially was held in detainment and pled guilty following six days of pre-trial custody.
Judge Treasa Kelly resumed the case at the Dublin District Court. Testimony presented by Garda Aidan Fitzgerald revealed that the defendant was halted at the airport on April 3rd with zero identification or passport. His originating flight location remains uncertain, though it’s thought he may have journeyed from a different European nation. The court also learnt that authorities are unable to definitively confirm his identity.
Biniyan has sought international protection in Ireland, but his fingerprints revealed he also requested asylum in Finland. Defence lawyer Eoghan O’Sullivan asserted to the judge his client’s comprehension of English was adequate and no translator was necessary.
Biniyan did not directly convey to the court but relayed through his attorney that he was compelled to depart from Eritrea due to political turmoil. Mr. O’Sullivan appealed to the judge, citing his wearer’s horrendous human rights conditions in his home country and the fact that his brother also resides in Finland. He pointed out that the defendant has the right to seek asylum in Ireland, emphasising his clean previous record and lack of income. The concerned offence holds prospects of a year’s imprisonment.
While delivering the verdict, Judge Kelly reminded that individuals are required to possess an ID or passport to enter the country. She further stated that the authorities are not completely sure about the defendant’s identity. She therefore backdated his imprisonment to commence from the day of his detainment.