Longford employee pleads guilty to offence under Employment Permits Act
Lins Marks Rodrigues Nunes of Apartment 2, Singer Centre, Irishtown, Athlone, county Westmeath, who was aided by a Portugeuse interpreter, pleaded guilty to the offence under Section 2(1)
A Longford employee has entered a guilty plea at Longford Circuit Court to an offence under the Employment Permits Act
Lins Marks Rodrigues Nunes, aged 50, of Singer Centre, Irishtown, Athlone, county Westmeath, who was aided by a Portugeuse interpreter and he pleaded guilty to the offence under Section 2(1).
The defendant has admitted "that on dates between the 10th of July 2019 and the 24th of February 2023, both dates inclusive, at Kepak, Rathmore, Ballymahon in the county of Longford, did being a non-national under the employment of Kepak within the State other than in accordance with an employment permit issued by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment”.
Barrister Ross Nestor BL, defending, addressed Judge Kenneth Connolly and informed him his client had read the indictment with the assistance of his interpreter and he outlined there were substantial charges.
"On the indictment there is 188 further counts of theft,” he added.
Mr Nestor said he was not in a position to indicate that a jury would be required in relation to those alleged offences as no pleas had been entered, but he did request that the case be adjourned until December 1 next.
Judge Connolly said he found the charge somewhat confusing.
Mr Nestor replied, "Pre-empting the court's query I think it is whether liability lies with the employee or the employer."
Judge Connolly approved an application for the Portuguese translator to assist the defendant again during his next court appearance and case was subsequently adjourned until December 1.