*Shannon Airport

TWO ‘terrified’ Chinese nationals were effectively captives of the Irish people since they were found hiding in toilets at Shannon Airport.

That is according to solicitor for the two, Tara Godfrey who successfully pleaded with Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis District Court on Wednesday not to further remand the two men in custody.

In court, the two, Lin Delin (30) of no fixed abode and Li Hu (36) of no fixed abode walked free after Judge Gabbett imposed a two month suspended prison term on both.

Judge Gabbett imposed the suspended prison term after the two pleaded guilty to landing in the State without the proper documentation including a valid passport contrary to the Immigration Act 2004 at Shannon Airport on September 10th.

Det Garda Ciaran Keoghan told the court that he found Mr Delin and Mr Hu hiding in the ladies and gents toilets in the airport arrivals sometime after 2am on Tuesday morning.

The two had just come off a Ryanair flight in from Girona, Spain.

Judge Gabbett said, “The issue is that they had documentation to get onto the aircraft and then it ‘disappeared’”.

Ms Godfrey said the two men are terrified. She said, “They have no passports and they come across as being very afraid and I would ask the court to treat them more compassionately”.

Ms Godfrey said since arriving into Ireland “they have effectively been captives of the Irish people. They were placed in custody in the airport, in custody at Shannon Garda Station and then in custody at Limerick prison.”

The two spent Tuesday night in Limerick prison after being remanded there by Judge Gabbett at Kilrush District Court on Tuesday and they were brought to Ennis courthouse in hand-cuffs yesterday in an escort van from prison.

Ms Godfrey told Judge Gabbett, “Their circumstances in their home country were profoundly cruel and difficult and they have come here to have a better life”.

She said, “They have-not been red flagged other than they didn’t have a passport on arrival”.

Judge Gabbett said that he was “very loathe to incarcerate someone who appear to have no previous convictions”

He said, “They are innocents abroad effectively needing help, assistance and care from us”.

Det Keoghan said that the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) is to provide accommodation for the two on Wednesday night.

Judge Gabbett said that he hoped the two had received lunch while in the care of the Irish Prison Service and Judge Gabbett was told that the two had McDonalds for lunch.

Judge Gabbett said, “They are not going anywhere hungry then”.

Related News

maire finn 1
Live well through the menopause event lined up for Ennis
st aidans 1
Extension approved for St Aidan's NS
ennis train station 1
Iarnród Éireann not planning to bring in extra staff for Ennis Train Station
Inagh Riverwalk
Fifteen Clare projects benefit from €693,130 in CLÁR funding
Latest News
maire finn 1
Live well through the menopause event lined up for Ennis
aisling lyons 1
Harp Yoga event planned for Ennistymon
kilmurry ibrickane v cratloe 12-10-24 caoilfhinn o'dea eoin carey daryn callinan 1
The Water Break: Éire Óg & KIB to renew final rivalry | Disappointing exits for Ennistymon & Cratloe | Novel Naomh Eoin Wolfe Tones intermediate decider
st aidans 1
Extension approved for St Aidan's NS
wolfe tones v kilrush shamrocks 13-10-24 aaron kelly 1
Wolfe Tones' intermediate double still in tune as footballers account for Kilrush
Premium
wolfe tones v kilrush shamrocks 13-10-24 aaron kelly 1
Wolfe Tones' intermediate double still in tune as footballers account for Kilrush
clooney quin v doora barefield minor 13-10-24 patrick finnernan 2,jpg
Clooney/Quin claim second Minor A hurling title in three years
éire óg v ennistymon 13-10-24 joshua vaughan darren o'brien 1
Éire Óg ease into county final with fourteen point win over Ennistymon
naomh eoin v clondegad 12-10-24 declan keniry 1
Naomh Eoin come out on top versus Clondegad to reach first intermediate decider
truagh clonlara v scariff ogonnelloe 12-10-24 1
Truagh/Clonlara take the spoils in extra time win over Scariff/Ogonnelloe

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top