Brazilian man was working illegally at car wash in Tullamore

A BRAZILIAN national was charged with working illegally in Ireland during last week's Tullamore Court.

Joseph Rodrigues da Silva, 122, Church Hill, Tullamore was charged with breaking Section 2 and 3 of the Employment Act on March 14 last. He pleaded guilty.

The court was told he was working illegally in a car wash facility, a number of days a week.

He was charged with committing the offence at a car wash facility in Tullamore.

The charge stated that he was a “non-national in the employment of a car wash, in the State, other than in accordance with an employment permit issued by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, contrary to Section 2 and 3 of the Employment Permits Act 2003.”

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The defending solicitor Brian Duffy said Mr Da Silva had left Brazil because of threats to his life from a criminal organisation. He is 22 years of age.

“He didn't realise he needed a work permit to work in Ireland. He is now properly engaging with our system.”

Judge Andrew Cody commented that it is a serious matter “to come into a country as a tourist and to start working here. He has paid no tax I presume?”

He convicted and sentenced to one month in prison, suspending for two years.

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