Pensioner (75) stopped at Dublin Airport with fake passport had 'huge collection' of identities

Tom Tuite

A pensioner charged following a Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) probe into bogus passports has a “huge collection” of identities, it has been alleged.

Gaoimhreadhan O Coileain, aged 75, of Duiche Roden, Dundalk, Co Louth, was arrested at Dublin Airport with a one-way ticket to Glasgow and a suspected fake passport on March 5th last.

The following day, at Dublin District Court, conditional bail was set at €3,000.

He is charged with three offences under the Passport Act: possessing a false passport at Gate 188, Dublin Airport, on March 5th, and two counts of providing false information in passport applications in 2023 and 2017.

Detective Garda Padraig Hanley said the accused's reply to the charge was: "I am guilty of these three offences; I wish to clear them up as quickly as possible since I thought that the last two were already dealt with in 2023. My memory is not good. But if I have adequate consultation with my solicitor, I am sure I can be of further assistance."

The detective considered him a flight risk, saying the accused was caught red-handed with a one-way ticket to Glasgow and was travelling with hand luggage only. It was alleged that gardaí searched his home and seized evidence about other passports.

The detective believed the accused was in possession or control of another fake Irish passport, that he refused to reveal where it was, and that he had four phones.

However, he was unable to access his funds to lodge the bail money and was allowed to make a fresh application on Thursday. Judge Karen Dowling set bail in his bond of €300 but required approval of a €5,000 independent surety.

O Coileain was remanded in custody with consent to bail, to appear again on March 19th.

Detective Garda Hanley informed the court that the file will go to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), whose directions could take several weeks due to the complex nature of the case.

He maintained the accused had three sets of passports in his name, plus another in an English version of his name, and a UK passport with a different identity.

He also said the accused was widely travelled and had travelled to China, the Philippines and Vietnam in recent years, and it appeared that "a huge collection of different identities" had been used by him. It was also alleged he had a false Northern Ireland driver's licence, electricity card and rental agreement.

Defence counsel Eimear Dooley said her client had severe health problems, lived in sheltered accommodation, and had indicated he would plead guilty, having made full admissions. Counsel also said that her client was going to Scotland for just a day.

He has yet to formally enter a plea because directions from the DPP were pending.

Legal aid was granted, along with an order for medical attention in custody.