Dublin Airport: Moroccan man denied bail after second false French passport arrest

Mohamad Alami (29) was arrested at Dublin Airport for allegedly using a bogus French passport, the second such offence in two years. He was remanded in custody to 4 September.

Dublin Airport arrest: man held on suspicion of using false French passport for second time

A 29-year-old Moroccan national has been denied bail after being arrested at Dublin Airport on suspicion of travelling on a forged French passport — the second time he has faced the same allegation, BreakingNews.ie reports.

Mohamad Alami, who has no fixed address in Ireland, was charged with possession of a false instrument on Sunday and brought before Dublin District Court on Monday.

Detective Sergeant Patrick Whelan told the court he opposed bail on the grounds that Alami was unlikely to appear for trial and might abscond. The detective sergeant also cited concerns that the accused had "access to false documents" and posed a risk of reoffending.

Alami was arrested while in transit and had been attempting to continue his journey to Canada. Gardaí said they had arrested him for an identical type of offence two years earlier, when he arrived in Ireland on a false French passport, also while attempting to travel to Canada.

Alami made no reply when charged. He was granted legal aid but had yet to secure a solicitor. Criminal defence solicitors are currently in dispute with the Minister for Justice over payment reforms for legal aid in the District Court, which replaced per-appearance rates with a flat fee of €520 per case.

Speaking through an interpreter, Alami told the court he had a heart condition and wished to return to Morocco, saying he felt "emotionally and psychologically stressed."

Judge Mark O'Connell clarified that the hearing concerned bail only and was not an examination of the substance of the case.

Alami, who has not yet entered a plea, was remanded in custody and is due to appear before the court again on 4 September.

Source: BreakingNews.ie