A student has been charged with giving bogus information to gardaí in relation to a claim she had been seriously assaulted in Dublin last month.
Regina Thais De Oliveira, (20), who resides at Cabra Park in Dublin, made no reply when charged today with making a false statement to officers at Mountjoy Garda station on August 25 last.
Det Garda Kevin Keys told Judge James Faughnan at Dublin District Court that the student had been arrested at her flat this morning and subsequently charged, after which she "made no reply".
Det Gda Keys objected to bail and told the judge that the accused had been in Ireland on a student visa since April. She was originally due to return to Brazil in January next year but changed her plans and had arranged to leave Ireland this evening.
He said that the offence for which she has been charged can carry a sentence of up to five years. “She is before the court accused of basically telling gardaí something that did not happen,” the detective said.
Det Gda Keys said the woman had no ties to this jurisdiction but agreed with defence solicitor Peter Keating that the young woman had surrendered her passport. Mr Keating also told the court that the woman had no money.
The detective agreed that the woman had been living with a number of people including her boyfriend at her current address for the past four months.
He also agreed that the woman had said that while she was planning to leave the country she had indicated she would come back.
The defendant had the proceedings translated by an interpreter.
Judge Faughnan said she faced a serious charge and he had fears given her lack of ties to this country. He said he was deferring his decision on whether she will be let out on bail.
The case continues next Wednesday but in the meantime she will remain in custody until the judge has ruled on this issue. Legal aid was granted.