2LT National News

BRISBANE, Australia – An Irish national who attempted to enter Australia using a fake passport — and later escaped immigration detention by scaling down a building with tied bedsheets — has been sentenced to 12 months in prison. The 26-year-old man appeared before Brisbane District Court on Thursday, where he was handed the sentence with a non-parole period of four months. His prison term has been backdated by 34 days to reflect time already served in custody. He had earlier pleaded guilty on 15 August 2025 to two charges: Providing false documents and false or misleading information relating to non-citizens, and Escaping from detention. The dramatic sequence of events began on 13 March 2025, when the man arrived at Brisbane International Airport and presented a counterfeit UK passport. Australian Border Force officers quickly identified the document as fake and placed him in immigration detention. Just two days later, in a bold escape, the man tied bedsheets together and used them to climb down the side of the detention facility. A manhunt followed, involving both the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and New South Wales Police, who ultimately located and arrested him in Sydney on 31 July. He was later extradited to Queensland to face charges. AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway commended the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the effort to safeguard the Australian public. “AFP members worked tirelessly to track the offender down to prevent any harm to the Australian community,” Det Supt Conway said Thursday. “He committed serious offences by entering Australia with a fake passport and escaping from immigration detention.” The sentencing brings an end to a months-long effort by Australian law enforcement authorities to bring the fugitive to justice.