Kebab shop staff had no permits

THREE Pakistani nationals have been put on probation having been detected working in a Rathdowney fast food outlet without legal documentation.

Farooq Hussain, Mazhar Iqbal and Mohammad Iqbal, all with an address listed at Main Street, Rathdowney, were charged with failing to produce on demand a passport or other equivalent document, at Flames Kebab, Main Street, Rathdowney, on September 8.

Garda Michelle Marrinan gave evidence that herself and a number of officials from the National Employment Rights Authority carried out an inspection on that date and the three defendants were subsequently arrested.

Defence, Mr Stanley said his clients had since taken steps to legitimise their residency in Ireland and proper documents had been submitted. He said that all three men had come to Ireland to take up employment and two of them were supporting their families abroad. Mr Stanley also pointed out that not of the men had come to any adverse garda attention during their time here.

Judge Catherine Staines applied the probation act because none of the men had previous convictions and they were now regularising the situation.