A Brazilian student produced false documents at the Social Welfare Office in an attempt to get better employment after her money ran out, Galway District Court heard last Wednesday.
Isis Goncalves (25 ), with an address at 42 Sandfield Centre, Ennis, Clare, pleaded guilty to producing false documents with intention to make another believe they were genuine, on July 17, 2008, at Social Welfare Office, Augustine Street, Galway.
Inspector Mick Coppinger told the court that at 3.45pm the defendant entered the Social Welfare Office and produced a passport, driving licence, and national Identity Card. Staff became concerned as to the validity of these documents and contacted gardai.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that her client came to this country to learn English but her money ran out. She added that Goncalves came here as a student and therefore is entitled to work for a year. Goncalves obtained the false documents to get a PPS so that she could get a better job.
The court heard also that the defendant is now studying at the Clare Language Centre and received money from a friend to pay for the course up until December 19.
Ms Traynor said that her client knows she shouldn’t have done it and that it wasn’t for the purpose of getting social welfare. She said that the defendant is now going about things the right way.
Judge Mary Fahy fined the defendant €300 payable from the bail money already paid.
