Two Dungannon residents convicted for Covid travel breaches

TWO Dungannon residents have been convicted of breaching coronavirus international travel regulations on returning from Spain during the summer.

Fardi Chebli Madji (54) and Mohammed Chebli Madji (18) of the Donaghmore Road admitted the offences and were fined £200 each at Dungannon Magistrates Court.

At the time of the offending on June 17, Spain was on the Amber warning list regarding the pandemic.

The Home Office alerted the PSNI to the issue after their arrival back from Spain.

Officers were required to check whether they had adhered to isolation procedures and taken the necessary post-arrival tests.

They discovered the defendants had not taken or booked ‘two day’ and ‘eight day’ tests. Fardi Chebli Madji told police they were not aware of the requirements.

Defence solicitor, Ruairi Maguire told the court his clients had no previous record and had been “very co-operative” with police.

He said they did produce a box of lateral flow tests that they had ordered.

Mr Maguire added, “They didn’t understand their obligations.

“They were in the house and on the face of it were isolating and not out on the street. There has been no positive tests.

“They are not before the courts on any other matter and hopefully will not be before the courts on any other matter”

Asking for leniency, he also stated the defendants are “financially distressed.”

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said the production of the lateral tests showed they did not have complete disregard for the regulations.

The maximum fine for the offence is £1,000.

Judge Ranaghan added, “The court takes these cases very seriously. One has to send out the appropriate message regarding the risk.

“Sadly, I am all too familiar with these cases going through the courts.”