Five Chinese nationals were before a recent sitting of Letterkenny District Court following their arrest last week on suspicion of being in the country illegally.

Four of the defendants, Shuhui Xie, Ming Zhao, Uen Xiong and Feng Xie, were arrested on Thursday of last week, June 28 at the Chinese Restaurant, Meenmore, Dungloe while the fifth , Ming Zhang was arrested at the Royal China Restaurant, Ballyshannon two days previously.

In relation to Ming Zhang, Sergeant Desmond Sheridan told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the defendant had not produced any documentation to confirm his identity or legal status in this country.

Solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher commented that he appreciated the State's concern with regard to his client's identity but he added that Zhang would be pleading guilty to all charges before the court and he asked Judge Zaidan to note the early plea.

Sergeant Sheridan stated that he would be objecting to bail on the grounds that the defendant could not prove his identity or address. Zhang was remanded in custody to appear before Letterkenny Court on July 16. Mr Gallagher added that this would give time to establish the defendant's identity.

Also before the court was Feng Xie. Her solicitor Ms Emma Kelly asked Judge Zaidan for a statements' order in relation to her client's arrest. Garda Neil MacManus outlined that gardai had recently established the defendant's identity and said there was no objection to the defendant being remanded in custody with consent to bail. Judge Zaidan ordered that Xie enter into her own bond of ¤700 cash with an independent surety of ¤2000, of which ¤1000 was to be lodged.

Garda MacManus also gave evidence in relation to Shuhui Xie who was charged at Justice Walsh Road on July 2. The court heard that when the defendant was cautioned he replied: "I came to Ireland to visit a friend". Garda McManus outlined that gardai had confirmed the defendant had a valid visa to be in Britain but they were still trying to establish if this permitted him to come to Ireland.

A further defendant, Uen Xiong was also remanded in custody with consent to bail on similar conditions.

The final defendant, Ming Zhao was represented by solicitor, Mr Paudge Dorrian who expressed to Judge Zaidan that his client was resident in Dungloe and objected to Garda McCallion's application to remand the defendant in custody. The State maintained that they were unable to establish Zhao's identity, but Mr Dorrian stated that his client had a passport but attempts to obtain his passport from a premises in Dungloe were unsuccessful.

Garda Robert McCallion stated that on two occasions a search of the premises had been carried out in order to retrieve Zhao's passport but Mr Dorrian explained it was in a room which was locked.

Mr Dorrian also maintained that his client had been "railroaded in here without any investigation being carried out."

Judge Zaidan concluded, however, that Zhao's detention was lawful and remanded him in custody to appear before the court on July 16.