A US Green Card holder who allegedly presented a false passport at immigration at Shannon Airport last Monday in order for a 13 year boy to gain entry to the US has been remanded in custody here for a further 13 days.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Sgt Louis Moloney told Judge Mary Cashin that the investigation into the case “is progressing as we speak”.

In court, accused man, Sergiu Cristian Lingurar of 6808 Freshpond, Ridgewood, New York appeared via video link from a room at Limerick prison.

Mr Lingurar was initially remanded in custody on Tuesday after Judge Cashin refused his application for bail.

In court on Wednesday, solicitor for Mr Lingurar, John Casey indicated that a bail application will be made in the High Court when he said that a bail application will be made elsewhere for his client.

Sgt Moloney said that as it is “still a fresh matter” and the investigation is progressing, Gardaí are seeking a further remand in custody to August 8th for the accused.

At Mr Lingurar’s first court appearance on Tuesday, Sgt Frank O’Grady told Judge Cashin that Mr Lingurar may be facing further charges.

Sgt O’Grady said that the teenage boy has been taken into care.

Objecting to bail for the accused, Insp Paul Slattery said that the State allege that Mr Lingurar presented at the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Shannon Airport on Monday with a minor and was in possession of a false passport relating to that child.

Insp Slattery said that the accused man – who is not a relation of the boy – represents a flight risk as he has no connections here and no reason to stay in Ireland.

Judge Cashin refused bail after concluding that Mr Lingurar represents a flight risk and remanded the 25 year old in custody.

Judge Cashin said that Mr Lingurar is entitled to the presumption of innocence but said that the circumstances of the case give rise to ‘serious concern’.

Sgt O’Grady said that Romanian national, Mr Lingurar arrived into Dublin Airport on Sunday, July 23rd from the US and travelled to Shannon Airport with the child with the intention of bringing the child to the US on Monday.

Sgt O’Grady said that the case against Mr Lingurar of presenting a false instrument with the intention of inducing another to accept it as genuine contrary to section 29 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 carries a prison term up to 10 years on indictment in the circuit court.

Sgt O’Grady said that Mr Lingurar has no financial means other than the cost of the flight and accommodation and his travel and accommodation was paid for by a third party.

Solicitor, John Casey for the accused said that Mr Lingurar was accompanying the teenager back to the US as a favour to a friend of his father who he only knows by nick-name.

Mr Casey said his instructions are that Mr Lingurar was not going to be paid for accompanying the 13 year old apart from his expenses.

Mr Casey said that Mr Lingurar is a father of two young children in the US and works in construction/removals and has been living in the US for a number of years.

Related News

2
Risks remain for all road users, travel safely in winter weather
ballybeg speeding 1-2
Speed van for Ballybeg under consideration following complaints of 'excessive speeding'
road gritting 1
Clare County Council treats more than 12,000 Kilometres of National Secondary and Regional Roads in 10 days.
drugs customs shannon 1
Mother and daughter charged with €1.28m Shannon airport drugs haul further remanded in custody
Latest News
7
Would you put yourself first? Thoughts on Self-care
2
Risks remain for all road users, travel safely in winter weather
29-01-2024 Harty Cup Final 2024-11
College hurling quarter finals re-scheduled for Monday
ballybeg speeding 1-2
Speed van for Ballybeg under consideration following complaints of 'excessive speeding'
road gritting 1
Clare County Council treats more than 12,000 Kilometres of National Secondary and Regional Roads in 10 days.
Premium
brian crowley ttm
Profits of Ennis based TTM Healthcare surge by 32% to €11.55m
clare v louth 29-01-23 16 declan byrne ronan lanigan keelan sexton
14 fresh & familiar faces to Clare football panel for 2025
pat dowling old rectory
Dowling says Shannon Heritage risk will pay off for Clare & 'legal loopholes' to blame for slowing down projects
éire óg v ennistymon 30-10-22 27 paul madden
Paul Madden steps down after 8 years as Eire Og manager
ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 17
Temporary traffic management plan sought for Ennis as public realm works recommence

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