Documentation will be sent to Interpol to confirm the identities of two men accused of attempting to enter the country illegally through Kerry Airport.
The Georgian nationals appeared before Tralee District Court via video-link from Cork Prison yesterday
The men, who arrived at Kerry Airport on a flight from Alicante on Friday (May 1st), both face a number of charges in relation to the incident.
They face charges, including failing to produce a valid passport or equivalent document, and failure to present themselves to immigration officers to apply for permission to enter the country.
Outlining the evidence to the men, through a Georgian interpreter, Judge David Waters said both men travelled from Alicante to Kerry, however, there was no record on the planes manifest on the identity of the individuals.
A plane manifest is a finalised document listing all passengers and crew on a flight, used for security, safety, and immigration purposes.
The judge noted it was indicated to Gardaí that both men had destroyed their ID’s on the plane and attempted to enter the country by trying to bypass immigration.
The court heard that the accused had to be brought back to immigration by force and refused to cooperate with Gardaí.
Judge Waters noted that by viewing the men’s phones and Facebook apps they attained the details of both individuals, which did not appear in the manifest.
He outlined that after two days the men decided to apply for asylum and noted the individuals went to great lengths to get into the country.
Representing the men, solicitor Brendan Ahern outlined that he had been contact by family members of both men in Georgia, with documentation that appears to confirm their identities.
Sergeant Chris Manton noted this, but stated as Georgia is outside the EU, the documentation will need to go through Interpol to be confirmed.
Mr Ahern outlined that the state has already charged both men, however, Judge Waters stated their identity must be confirmed.
The judge further remanded both men in custody to allow their identities be clarified and confirmed for the state.
