Man charged with having false passport says he feared for his life

A LIMERICK MAN told gardaí he was travelling on a false passport to Amsterdam because detectives in Limerick had warned him his life was in danger, a court was told at the weekend.

Gerard Dundon (21), Hyde Road, Limerick, was arrested by gardaí at Cork airport on Friday as he was preparing to board a flight to Amsterdam. He had a false passport and travel documents and €5,850 in cash.

Mr Dundon was charged at a special sitting of Cork District Court on Saturday with possessing a false passport in the name of Terence Ruth at Cork airport on July 4th.

Det Garda Eamon Feehan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, and told the court that Mr Dundon replied: “I only had it for my own protection.” when the charge of having the false passport was put to him.

Det Garda Feehan alleged that the photograph on the passport in the name of Terence Ruth was that of Gerard Dundon and that he had a return ticket in the name of Terence Ruth. He also said Mr Dundon had €5,850 on him and was travelling without luggage.

Det Garda Feehan alleged that Mr Dundon had continued to claim he was Terence Ruth from Dublin for 40 minutes when questioned by gardaí. It was only when he was arrested and brought to Togher Garda station that he gave his correct name.

Det Garda Feehan said the State was objecting to bail for Mr Dundon as gardaí feared he was attempting to leave the jurisdiction because he was due in court in Limerick this week on two dangerous driving charges.

Mr Dundon’s solicitor, Eddie Burke, said his client would be “taking a certain course” in relation to the charge. His client had intended returning on Sunday on a return flight and fully intended appearing in court in Limerick this week on the dangerous driving charges.

Mr Dundon told the court he was going to Amsterdam for a few days because gardaí in Limerick had warned him there was a risk to his life in Limerick and he wanted to buy a ring for his cousin. He intended returning on Sunday to appear in court next week.

“I was in England a few weeks back and a fellow approached me because he knew I was in a bit of heat and he said: ‘people are trying to kill you and I know you since you’re a kid’, and he arranged to get this passport for me – he put the photograph in the passport,” Mr Dundon told the court.

“Gardaí in Limerick are coming up to me, handing me these white sheets of paper telling me I’m going to be killed. They’ve been telling me for so long now I don’t know how long it’s been going on.”

Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc said that, taking all the circumstances into account, he was refusing bail to Mr Dundon.

He remanded him in custody to appear again at Cork District Court today.