The owner of a Chinese takeaway in Navan appeared at the local court on Friday charged with employing a man who had no permit to work in this country. Lin Chen, the owner of Ocean Palace Takeaway Ltd at Blackcastle Shopping Centre and who gave his address as Blackcastle Lodge, Navan was accused of employing the person at his premises on 17th November 2023.
Defending solicitor Maurice Regan said that his client had suffered a very serious illness and the premises was now closed. There had been a misunderstanding on his client’s behalf who thought the man was eligible to work in this jurisdiction.
Prosecuting solicitor David McEntee, who represented the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in court said that the defendant had five previous convictions for similar offences. Judge Eirinn McKiernan told defendant that she was sorry for the circumstances in which he found himself through illness and wished him well. She imposed a fine of €150 on one charge.
