Suspended sentence for man who presented forged PCR cert at Cork Airport during pandemic

A FORGED PCR certificate was presented by a man flying into Cork Airport during the pandemic and he was taken away to quarantine at a hotel in Dublin but he absconded from there.

Charles Faulkner, aged 46, of Adelaide Place, St. Luke’s, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of using a false instrument on June 19, 2021 at Cork Airport.

His solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said that while reference was being made to Mr Faulkner absconding in Dublin later, there was no charge against him for that alleged offence.

Sergeant Ciarán Kelleher said the incident occurred on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 8.15am at Cork Airport when the accused man arrived from Stansted.

A valid negative PCR test was required by law when entering the country at the time. The cert the accused presented was not genuine. He was aggressive and disruptive at the airport.

“He refused to answer questions and was handed over to defence force personnel, on duty in the airport at the time.

“He was conveyed to Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin for mandatory quarantine but he absconded a short time later [with another person],” Sgt Kelleher said.

Now at Cork District Court he has pleaded guilty to using an instrument, to wit, a false Randox Health PCR test certificate which was, and which he knew or believed to be a false instrument, with the intention of inducing another person to accept it as genuine contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.

Judge Olann Kelleher said these offences were in a more serious category in terms of breaching covid regulations.

“This is a very serious charge. Using a false instrument in this manner is irresponsible. It was putting other people in danger but he does not seem to care. And then he gets aggressive with everyone,” Judge Kelleher said.

He fined Charles Faulkner €850 and imposed a five-month suspended sentence.