Romanian woman arrested at Dublin Airport on two people-smuggling charges

Daniela Rusescu (34) faces two counts of assisting a man to enter Ireland illegally, once on 10 October and again on 24 October. She was remanded in custody.

Romanian national held after two alleged smuggling runs through Dublin Airport

A Romanian woman living in the UK has appeared before Dublin District Court charged with smuggling men into Ireland via Dublin Airport on two separate occasions within a fortnight, the Irish Times reports.

Daniela Rusescu (34), of Old Barn Court, Northampton, was arrested by Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) officers at Terminal 1 on Saturday evening, shortly after 8.30pm, following the arrival of a flight from Barcelona.

She faces two counts under Section 6(1) of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021 — one for allegedly assisting a man to enter the State on 10 October and a second for a repeat of the offence on 24 October.

Rusescu was held over the weekend and brought before Judge Áine Clancy on Monday. Detective Cathal Brady of the GNIB opposed bail on the grounds of flight risk, a concern the judge noted on the record.

When the more recent allegation was put to her, Rusescu made no reply. Regarding the October 10th charge, she said through an interpreter: "I was not here on October 10th. I was in the UK."

Counsel indicated the accused was not proceeding with a bail application at this stage. She was remanded in custody to appear again on Wednesday.

Rusescu has yet to enter a plea. The court heard that gardaí still need to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on both charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Source: Irish Times