Court denies bail to woman accused of moving migrants through Dublin Airport

Daniela Rusescu was denied bail Wednesday after gardai told Dublin District Court she helped two Albanian men reach Ireland through Dublin Airport on two dates this month without the required Irish visas. Judge Michael Ramsey set no bail and remanded her in custody.

The case began with the October 10th arrival of a man from Barcelona who sought asylum after destroying a false Irish passport during the flight. Gardai allege passenger records from Ryanair show Rusescu paid for that ticket in sterling.

On October 24th, a second man arrived on flight FR6874 from Barcelona and was refused leave to land. An immigration officer checking his phone found a banking app under the name Daniela linked to a UK number. Gardai say they called the number, and Rusescu confirmed she was travelling with the man and had already cleared into arrivals.

Gardai say Rusescu flew from Luton to Barcelona on October 23rd to meet the man. Her phone held boarding passes for both passengers plus a photo of a fraudulent Irish passport bearing the likeness of the man who was refused entry. Rusescu was stopped after 8.30pm on Saturday in Terminal 1 following a flight from Barcelona. She faces two counts under Section 6(1) of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021, which carry up to 10 years.

GNIB detective Cathal Brady opposed bail, citing flight risk: she has no ties to Ireland and holds fraudulent travel documents she could use to leave. Defence counsel Paddy Flynn said his client was duped by her boyfriend, who he said used her phone. Flynn added that family members would come to Ireland and help her find an address. Rusescu, speaking through an interpreter, has not entered a plea.

The two men have left Ireland for the UK after first applying for asylum. Rusescu is due back in court November 4th, when directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions are expected.