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. 6900Possessing a false instrument · Co. Dublin · 25 Oct 2017

Man jailed for two years over fake Slovakian identity documents in Dublin

In October 2017 staff at a DHL centre became concerned about a package that Giorgi Bazadye (50), a Georgian man, and his adult son were sending to Italy, which contained four fake national identity cards and four matching fake Slovakian driving licences. Bazadye was arrested in 2018 and pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of possessing a false instrument within the State. Gardaí believe the documents were meant to help Georgian immigrants enter the country illegally, and the defence said Bazadye had a smaller part in the operation than his son. The case was reported on 19 December 2023, when Judge Elma Sheahan jailed Bazadye for two years, noting that he has 79 previous convictions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí believe the fake Slovakian identity documents were meant to help Georgian immigrants enter the country illegally.
Where
Bazadye gives an address of Griffith Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, and the case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
When
The offence took place on October 25th, 2017.
Cause
Gardaí were alerted after staff at a DHL centre were concerned about a package Bazadye and his adult son were attempting to send to Italy.
Investigation
  • The package contained four fake national identity cards of quite a high quality and four matching fake Slovakian driving licences.
  • Bazadye was arrested in 2018.
  • Gardaí believe the fake identity documents were part of an operation sending false documents to members of the Georgian community in the Schengen region.
Charges
Bazadye pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a false instrument within the State, with the remaining counts taken into consideration.
In court
Garnet Orange prosecuted and Garda Karen Barker gave evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
Judge Elma Sheahan jailed Bazadye for two years, as reported on 19 December 2023.
Other details
  • Bazadye has 79 previous convictions and is originally from Georgia, having moved to Ireland in 2007.
  • Bazadye's visa was revoked because of his previous offending.
  • The defence said Bazadye had a smaller part in the operation than his son.
  • The judge said deterrence was an important issue in cases such as this.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was caught with fake Slovakian identities that gardaí believe were meant to help Georgian immigrants enter the country illegally. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offence took place on October 25th, 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí were alerted after staff at a DHL centre were concerned about a package Bazadye and his adult son were sending to Italy. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe package contained four fake Slovakian national identity cards and four matching fake Slovakian driving licences. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationBazadye was arrested in 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí believed the fake IDs were part of an operation sending false documents to members of the Georgian community in the Schengen region. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBazadye pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a false instrument within the State. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe guilty plea was entered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Elma Sheahan handed down a sentence of two years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBazadye has 79 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBazadye is originally from Georgia and moved to Ireland in 2007. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBazadye's visa was revoked because of his previous offending. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said Bazadye had a smaller part in the operation than his son. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said deterrence was an important issue in cases such as this. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Dec2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man caught with fake documents designed to help Georgians enter country illegally jailed for two years

    Reports the sentencing of Giorgi Bazadye, including his guilty plea, his previous convictions, the investigation that began at a DHL centre, the gardaí belief about a wider operation, and the two-year sentence.

    convicted, Giorgi Bazadye, 50, male, Georgian, named, non-irishGiorgi Bazadye