Suspended sentence for possession of false passports

By Eimear Dodd

A man who was found in possession of three false passports has been given a suspended sentence.

Deji Oshinowo (51) of Myrtle Square, Baldoyle Dublin 13, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of three counts of possession of false passports.

An investigating garda told the court that a search was carried out of Oshinowo’s residence on June 21, 2017.

During the search, three passports – two from the Republic of Benin and one from South Africa – were found in an upstairs room. None of these documents had Oshinowo’s picture on them.

The passports were analysed at a later date and found to be false.

Oshinowo was arrested and interviewed. He was co-operative with the investigation.

Oshinowo has seven previous convictions, including for custody of false instruments dating back over 10 years.

Sentencing him yesterday, Judge Patricia Ryan noted it was a serious offence.

She handed down a two and a half year sentence, which she suspended on a number of conditions.

 Oisin Clarke BL, defending, told the court that his client came to Ireland over 18 years ago and sought asylum protection, with his progress towards citizenship paused due to the criminal process.

 Oshinowo is married and has three children.

He is currently completing a number of courses.

He has seven previous convictions, the most recent for 2012.

Two of these related to false instruments, the court heard.

Mr Clarke asked the court for as much leniency as possible.