Yesterday, an individual was handed over to the Gardaí in accordance with a European Arrest Warrant. Daniel Trifan, who was situated in Cyprus till recently, has since been extradited to face charges at home. In a noteworthy case, Trifan, a driving instructor by profession, is being accused of colluding in a scheme to impersonate learner drivers during their theory tests, implying a possibly widespread fraudulent operation in the learner permit sphere.
Trifan, the accused, is a 50-year-old resident of Beechfield Meadows, Clonee, Dublin 15, originally hailing from Romania. His appearance in front of Judge Catherine Ghent at Dublin District Court took place on Saturday, where he refrained from applying for bail. This event comes in the wake of his extradition from Cyprus and a thorough investigation conducted by the elite Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).
Trifan is looking at an indictment comprised of two contumacious offenses falling under Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. According to the case files, it’s insinuated that within the jurisdiction of the State, he conspired with one or more individuals. The purported scheme aimed to derive profit or incite losses through dishonest means, by illegally sitting for driver theory tests under the names of third-party individuals. The end game was to prompt the issuance of driver theory test pass certificates.
In continuation, the second charge highlights that, over the concurrent duration, Trifan allegedly conspired again. The allegations state that he teamed up with one or more individuals with the intent of illicit use of computer systems by assuming the place of other candidates in driver’s theory tests.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has decided that this case merits the scope and authority of the Circuit Court, given its expansive sentencing powers. As per the gravity of the charges presented, an application for bail cannot be advanced at this juncture. For such an application to be entertained, it must be reviewed by the High Court.
Mr. Connolly, who represents Trifan, divulged that his client, who was previously engaged as a driving instructor, is currently without a steady source of income. On these grounds, the court accorded him legal aid. Trifan was subsequently taken into custody while the prosecution convenes to compile evidence for his trial.
Trifan will communicate his plea via video link, however, a date for this proceeding hasn’t been decided on yet. Meanwhile, it has been directed that Trifan will receive medical care while held in custody. The wheels of justice continue to turn for Trifan, who remains in custody awaiting his trial’s commencement.
It’s worth noting that a man and a woman have previously faced imprisonment for analogous charges. These charges emerged from a Garda investigation probing the exploitation of companies that afford driving license services. These third party companies operate under the auspices of the Road Safety Authority. The immediate case of Trifan, following suit, has once again brought this alarming issue to the fore.
The post Driving Instructor Accused of Driver Theory Test Fraud appeared first on Real News Now.
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