Court has yet to establish identity of ‘victim of human trafficking’

The identity of a woman who claims to be called Edith Jonho—a Nigerian woman who has been in custody since November—still remains in question after it was heard at Castlebar District Court last week that the passport which she furnished to gardaí was a forgery, following garda examination.

Solicitor Linda Lenehan acting for Jonho told the court the Ruhama organisation can provide the defendant— who according to Ms Lenehan “may have been the victim of human trafficking”—with a safe house.

However, Judge Aeneas McCarthy said how can he grant bail to “an entity which has no identity?” and that it was up to Jonho to establish who she is. Ms Lenehan responded by saying that it was a “Catch 22 situation” but said that the Nigerian embassy have been contacted to see if someone can assist in the situation.

Judge McCarthy remanded the defendant in custody until the first court of the new year in Ballyhaunis on January 6.

 

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