Fingerprint of Cork Prison inmate matches 27 different names across England and France

Cork District Court heard that the 29-year-old Syrian man’s fingerprint was crosschecked through Interpol

Judge Mary Dorgan said of the man in Cork Prison: 'He is not being forthcoming. He would need to be thinking about his situation.' Picture: Dan Linehan

A fingerprint for a prisoner at Cork Prison whose identity is unknown to the authorities was crosschecked through Interpol and it proved to be a match for 27 different names across England and France.

Sergeant John Kelleher said at Cork District Court that the 29-year-old man’s identity was checked through a fingerprint taken from him and it matched six names in France and 21 identities in England.

“He has not provided any information on his identity in Ireland,” Sgt Kelleher said.

We don’t know who he is. So how can we deal with it? This man has not given any information — documents or anything.

Judge Mary Dorgan told the accused who appeared in court by video link from prison: “You are in custody, your identity cannot be established. That needs to be done quickly.”

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the accused gave his name as Yousoof Angelina, adding: “I would have thought a fingerprint would have been conclusive.”

Sgt Kelleher said: “I have fingerprints as well, I can say I am Joe Bloggs.”

Mr Burke said the accused man came from Syria and arrived in Cork by ferry at Ringaskiddy. The solicitor said the accused no longer had travel documents.

Judge Dorgan said it was a most unusual matter where a person before the court had 27 different identities. The judge added that he should arrange through friends or family to get his passport or identifying documentation. 

The defendant spoke up at Cork District Court on the video link from Cork prison to say, “I don’t have family. I don’t have no one.” 

Judge Dorgan said:

He is not being forthcoming. He would need to be thinking about his situation.

The judge adjourned the case until May 21 with the accused remanded in continuing custody.

He faces several burglary charges at Cork District Court. The charges against him refer to burglary at Marine Villas, Monkstown, County Cork, on January 25, and burglary at Shamrock Place, Ringaskiddy, the following day.

He is charged with stealing a bicycle at the Ensign Bar, Monkstown, on January 26, stealing another bicycle at another location in Monkstown, and stealing one at Ringaskiddy on the same date.

He is also charged with having cannabis for his own use. Finally, he is charged with failing to produce a valid passport or equivalent document at Togher Garda Station on January 26.