The court heard that the accused arrived at Dublin Airport from Spain and presented a false PCR test certificate ‘purporting to show a negative result’
Jamie Corrigan, 31, appeared at Dublin District Court today when Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Detective Joe Gavin served him with a book of evidence containing 24 charges.
Following an application by State solicitor Ruairi Staines, Judge Tresa Kelly granted a return-for-trial order, transferring his case to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. It will be listed for mention on June 13.
Mr Corrigan, of Cullenswood House, Northbrook Ave, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, was remanded on €200 bail.
Jamie Corrigan
He faces charges for using false PCR test certification at Terminal 1 on July 11, 2021, contrary to section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
He was also charged with forgery by allegedly making false PCR test certificates in other names at an unknown location on various dates. That offence is under section 25 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
The judge also ordered copies of interview videos to be handed over to the defence and warned him to notify the prosecution within two weeks if he intended to use an alibi in his trial.
A ruling had been made earlier that the case was too serious for the District Court and should be dealt with at the higher level, which has broader sentencing powers.
At a preliminary hearing in October, Detective Garda Gavin said the investigation started in July 2021 during the pandemic. The court heard that the accused arrived at Dublin Airport from Spain and presented a false PCR test certificate “purporting to show a negative result”.
The GNIB detective alleged the accused made 22 fake PCR tests, which allowed him and eight friends or family to travel around Europe to sporting events, festivals, concerts and music events.
It was alleged the accused “forged” the tests from genuine PCR certificates when travel restrictions were in force.
The preliminary hearing to decide his trial venue was told that the GNIB identified nine people, including the accused, “who benefited from this while people in Ireland were in lockdown”.
Detective Garda Gavin added that there was no financial advantage; however, the accused worked for a company that provided equipment to the HSE, and he knew about the restrictions.
Judge Nicola Jane Andrews, then presiding, noted the Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal at the District Court level.
However, after hearing the outline of the alleged facts, Judge Andrews refused jurisdiction, saying there were travel restrictions at the time to protect public health.