TWO “TERRIFIED” CHINESE nationals have been effectively captives of the Irish people since they were found hiding in toilets at Shannon Airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

That is according to solicitor for the two, Tara Godfrey, who successfully pleaded with Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis District Court today not to further remand the two men in custody.

In court today, the two, Lin Delin (30) of no fixed abode and Li Hu (36) of no fixed abode walked free after Judge Gabbett imposed a two month suspended prison term on both.

Judge Gabbett imposed the suspended prison term after the two pleaded guilty to landing in the State without the proper documentation, including a valid passport contrary to the Immigration Act 2004, at Shannon Airport on 10 September.

Det Garda Ciaran Keoghan told the court that he found Delin and Hu hiding in the ladies and gents toilets in the airport arrivals sometime after 2am this morning.

The two had just come off a Ryanair flight from Girona, Spain.

Judge Gabbett said: “The issue is that they had documentation to get onto the aircraft and then it was ‘disappeared’.”

Godfrey said the two men are terrified.

She said: “They have no passports and they come across as being very afraid and I would ask the court to treat them more compassionately.”

Godfrey said since arriving into Ireland, “they have effectively been captives of the Irish people. They were placed in custody in the airport, in custody at Shannon Garda Station and then in custody at Limerick prison.”

The two spent Tuesday night in Limerick prison after being remanded there by Judge Gabbett at Kilrush District Court on Tuesday and they were brought to Ennis courthouse in handcuffs yesterday in an escort van from prison.

Godfrey told Judge Gabbett: “Their circumstances in their home country were profoundly cruel and difficult and they have come here to have a better life.”

“They have not been red flagged other than they didn’t have a passport on arrival,” she said. 

Judge Gabbett said that he was “very loathe to incarcerate someone who appear to have no previous convictions”

He said: “They are innocents abroad effectively needing help, assistance and care from us.”

Det Keoghan said that the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) is to provide accommodation for the two tonight.

Judge Gabbett said that he hoped the two had received lunch while in the care of the Irish Prison Service and Judge Gabbett was told that the two had McDonalds for lunch.

Judge Gabbett said: “They are not going anywhere hungry then.”