Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10794Breach of Covid-19 regulations (movement of persons offence under the Health Act 1947) · Co. Dublin · 17 Apr 2021

Father and son ordered to pay State costs after losing Covid fines appeal

Nicolae and Florin Mazarache, a father and son from Lealand Meadows, Clondalkin, Dublin, were stopped by a garda at Dublin Airport on 17 April 2021 while travelling to Spain to visit family. They were issued notices alleging an offence of movement of persons at a port or airport under the Health Act 1947, which was said to breach Covid-19 regulations. After they chose not to pay the €2,000 fixed payment and brought judicial review, the High Court dismissed their challenge in February 2024. The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal in October 2025, and they were ordered to pay the State's legal costs, as reported on 26 February 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Father and son Nicolae and Florin Mazarache were issued notices alleging they breached Covid-19 regulations by travelling to Dublin Airport.
Where
  • They were stopped by a garda at Dublin Airport.
  • They are from Lealand Meadows, Clondalkin, Dublin.
When
The incident occurred on 17 April 2021.
Cause
They were travelling to Spain to visit family members.
Charges
The notices alleged an offence of movement of persons at a port or airport under the Health Act 1947 (as amended).
Other details
A fixed payment of €2,000 was applied, but they chose not to pay it and brought judicial review, claiming the notices failed to specify or particularise the offence.
In court
  • The High Court dismissed their judicial review application in February 2024.
  • The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal in October 2025.
Sentence
They were ordered to pay the State's legal costs.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThey were stopped by a garda at the airport. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe alleged breach was travelling to Dublin Airport in 2021. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe father and son were travelling to Spain to visit family on 17 April 2021. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThey were issued notices alleging they committed an offence of movement of persons at a port or airport under the 1947 Health Act. (rte.ie)
  • courtIn February 2024 the High Court dismissed their judicial review application. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal last October. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe appellants were ordered to pay the costs of the State's legal representatives. (rte.ie)
  • otherA fixed payment of €2,000 was applied. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe men chose not to pay the fixed penalty and brought judicial review proceedings. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Feb2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Father, son lose court appeal challenge over Covid fines

    Reports the Court of Appeal costs ruling in the Mazarache case, after the Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal last October. The article adds that the appellants were ordered to pay the State's legal costs.

    suspect, non-irish (judged from name)suspect, Florin Mazarache, named, non-irish (judged from name)Florin Mazarache