The case of a Nigerian woman who has been held on remand for eight weeks since she was detected without any documentation was adjourned once again to Ballina District Court on January 13.
Edith Johno of no fixed abode had been remanded to this week’s sitting of Ballyhaunis District Court while her solicitor and the Gardaí tried to find out more information on her.
At an earlier sitting of Castlebar District Court a passport which turned out to be a forgery had been produced which was sent unsolicited to Johno’s solicitor Aidan Crowley. Mr Crowley also informed the court that following discussions by his client with a worker from the Ruhama organisation it now appears that Johno’s real name is Edith Orunwenes.
The Gardaí informed the court that they were in no position to go forward with the case because they still could not say with satisfaction who the woman is. Mr Crowley asked the court if it would be of benefit to the court to get person from the Ruhama agency to appear at the next court to explain the progress that they have been trying to make, as he was aware that they had been in contact with the Nigerian embassy to try to find out more information, but embassy staff appeared to be dragging their feet on the matter. Judge Devins remanded Orunwenes to the January 13 sitting of Ballina District Court.
