Seventeen Chinese people, who came to Ireland two years ago to learn English, all absconded without trace until one of them was picked up for shoplifting in Galway last week.
Tao Lin Jun (42), no fixed abode, appeared before Galway District Court last week following his arrest at Dunnes stores, Terryland, Galway, for the theft of €8.96 worth of groceries on August 9th.
He was further charged with failing to produce a valid passport when asked to do so at Galway Garda station, contrary to section 12 of the Immigration Act.
Through a Chinese interpreter, Mr Tao told the initial court hearing he had been made work 12- hour shifts, seven days a week, for just €200 a week, in restaurants in greater Dublin and had been sleeping in their kitchens because he had nowhere else to go. He said he did not know the names or the addresses of those restaurants.
Judge Conal Gibbons said it was clear he had been seriously exploited by his employers and was in fear. He remanded him in custody for one week because he could not provide an address.
The judge directed defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn to contact the consular section at the Chinese embassy in Dublin and ask it to provide assistance.
Insp Pat McHugh said when Mr Tao absconded with the others in 2003, the language school had sent their passports to the Chinese embassy. Gardaí were satisfied the passport belonging to Mr Tao which the embassy had furnished on his behalf was valid.
Insp McHugh said Mr Tao had stolen bacon and bananas from Dunnes Stores. Mr MacLynn said his client was hungry.
Judge Gibbons dismissed the charge relating to the passport and applied the Probation Act in the case of the shoplifting offence, saying he was sure Dunnes would not mind under the circumstances.