Wednesday 28 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. 0169Breach of ILEP requirements, misleading statements to court · Co. Limerick

High Court judge finds Limerick Language Centre owner gave misleading statements

In July 2025 the Department of Justice removed Limerick Language Centre (LLC) and Erin College from the ILEP student visa scheme following complaints and an investigation into unmet refund obligations. LLC sole shareholder and director Sharif Ahmed Sarker, a national, sought a stay on that decision, but on 9 October 2026 High Court judge Cian Ferriter refused the stay, finding that Sarker's sworn statements were materially and inexcusably misleading and that both schools were in admitted breach of the scheme's requirements. An agency had told the court that €50,000 paid for 29 prospective students had not been repaid and that LLC had deducted accommodation fees from refunds for students who never travelled to Ireland. LLC announced its closure in September 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Limerick Language Centre and Erin College were removed from the ILEP student visa scheme and the High Court found that LLC's director gave materially misleading statements.
Where
The case was heard in the High Court in Limerick.
When
The schools were removed on 24 July 2025, LLC announced its closure in September 2026, and the High Court ruling was delivered on 9 October 2026.
Cause
The removal followed complaints about unmet refund obligations and a Department of Justice investigation into ILEP compliance.
Investigation
A Department of Justice investigation found both schools struggled to meet refund applications for visa-refused students within the stipulated 20-day periods.
In court
Judge Cian Ferriter refused a stay on the removal and found that LLC sole shareholder and director Sharif Ahmed Sarker's sworn statements were materially and inexcusably misleading.
Other details
  • An agency told the court that €50,000 paid for 29 prospective students had not been repaid and that LLC deducted accommodation fees from refunds for students who never travelled to Ireland.
  • The ILEP scheme allowed non-EEA people to apply for student visas to study English in Ireland.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • courtThe judge refused a stay on the Department of Justice's decision to remove LLC and another school from the ILEP scheme (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLimerick Language Centre announced its closure in September 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA Pakistani agency said €50,000 paid for 29 prospective overseas language students had not been repaid (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe ILEP scheme allowed non-EEA people to apply for student visas to study English in Ireland (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLLC and Erin College were dropped from the ILEP scheme on 24 July 2025 following complaints and a Department of Justice investigation (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBoth schools struggled to meet refund applications for visa-refused students within the stipulated 20-day periods (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Oct2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    English language school owner gave materially misleading statements to court

    High Court ruling refusing a stay on the removal of Limerick Language Centre and Erin College from the ILEP student visa scheme, with the judge finding the LLC director's sworn statements were 'materially and inexcusably misleading' and both schools in admitted breach of the scheme's requirements.

    accused, Sharif Ahmed Sarker, named, non-irish (judged from name)Sharif Ahmed Sarker