Enforce the law - Sham marriages

High Court Judge Richard Humphreys has done the State some service by shedding light on the growing phenomenon of sham marriages entered into by foreign nationals seeking right of residence in Ireland.

In a judgement yesterday concerning a 45-year-old Algerian man who had challenged a deportation order, Judge Humphreys used refreshingly plain language to outline why the State should prevent and revoke bogus marriages.

“I appreciate that love is, of course, blind but it is nonetheless disturbing to note how frequently applicants become regarded as ‘a good catch’ shortly after being served with deportation orders,” he said.

Late last year, gardaí arrested 11 people in a suspected sham marriage scam. Garda authorities believe that a Dublin-based international crime gang has arranged up to 1,000 sham marriages here, generating fees of up to €20m.

The Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill, which was enacted last August, was meant to identify possible sham unions. It is clearly not operating to its potential.