Man falsely declared he was father of child in passport and birth cert applications

A 64-YEAR-OLD man, who was not the father of a baby born to a non-national woman in Cork, falsely declared that he was the child’s biological father in successful applications for a birth cert and a passport for the infant.

The beginning of the deception dates back more than 14 years. Today at Cork District Court, the man pleaded guilty to three counts of deception — one in relation to the birth cert application, a second for the passport application, and a third in applying for its renewal three years later.

An order was previously made to prevent identification of parties and particulars to the case which could identify the child.

Detective Garda Mark Henebry of Garda National Immigration Bureau outlined the background to the offences committed by the accused after the man pleaded guilty at Cork District Court.

Det Gda Henebry testified that the child was born at the end of 2008 to two non-national parents from the same country who arrived to study in Ireland shortly before the birth. When the child was born, there was no entry made in the hospital record to identify the father.

The 64-year-old before the court yesterday was not the father, but on July 29, 2009, he attended the Civil Registration office on Adelaide St in Cork to register the birth of the child.

“He made declarations that he was the biological father, knowing he could not be the father,” said Det Gda Henebry.

“He provided false information to the Civil Registrations office. On July 29, 2009 — later the same day — he attended at [his local] garda station, having obtained the Irish birth cert, to make a false application for a passport for this child. An Irish passport was later issued to this child who was not entitled to an Irish passport or Irish citizenship.

“The third charge relates to June 30, 2012 — almost three years later — in a subsequent application for [renewal of] a passport for this child, contrary to the Passports Act 2008.

“They are the facts. He co-operated fully with the garda investigation. There is no evidence of financial or other gain by [the defendant]. There is nothing previously against him.”

Defence solicitor, Pat Horan, said the accused man accepted this outline of the evidence and had co-operated in full when he was interviewed on two occasions in January and February 2023. They were full and frank admissions, Mr Horan said.

“He made no gain financially or otherwise,” said Mr Horan. “He is 64. He has no previous convictions. He felt sorry for this young woman who had a baby.”

His understanding was that if the woman went back to her own country with the child she would not be allowed to return to Ireland. On that basis, he put himself forward as the father of the child, Mr Horan said.

“He was thinking of the child,” said Mr Horan. “There was no relationship with the mother — sexual or otherwise.

“He suffered significant mental health issues since this has come to light. It has been hanging over him since January last. It is something he did out of concern and support for another person. As unusual as the case is, he did not benefit in any way. He wants to come clean. He deeply, deeply apologises for what happened.”

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “It is clearly very, very serious — a number of different occurrences over different periods of time… I am going to look for a probation report.”

The case was adjourned for that purpose until May 1.