A couple who used a forged marriage licence to win immigration status have been given a "break" by a judge at a sitting of Monaghan District Court.
Upon hearing that the couple got married after they produced the false certificate, Judge Seán McBride struck out charges relating to the false document.
The court heard that Allan Ross of Glenmount Apartments, Glen Road, Monaghan, and Juliana Beggan, of the same address, produced the forged marriage certificate to gardaí to enable Mr Ross to get official immigrant classification in this country.
Garda Supt Joe Sullivan of Monaghan said Mr Ross claimed he had married Ms Beggan in Florida on November 18th, 2001, and then used the forged certificate to gain himself the status of an immigrant.
"This was dependent on him being the spouse of an Irish national," said Garda Sullivan.
However, the court heard, the couple were not married at the time, as Mr Ross was involved in divorce proceedings in Argentina.
But Judge McBride heard from Garda John Gallagher of Monaghan that the couple did eventually marry - on June 21st last.
"Mr Ross is a very genuine individual and would have a very good record in Ireland, apart from this incident," said Garda Gallagher. He also said that Mr Ross had met Ms Beggan in the US, but was deported because of the US immigration laws.
Judge McBride said that in view of all circumstances, and the fact that Mr Ross was prepared to make a €500 donation to Monaghan Arch club to help people in the local community, he was dismissing the prosecution.