SIXTY-SEVEN applications made by immigrants for residency here last year were refused because the applicant had taken part in a so-called 'marriage of convenience'.The minister for justice Brian Lenihan has confirmed his department has had "growing experience of marriages being entered into for the sole purpose of enabling the foreign national spouse to enter and remain in the state".
The last two years have seen a marked increase in people making residency claims after marrying an Irish citizen and it is suspected significant sums of money have been paid over to Irish citizens in many cases.
In 2007, 14 applications made by illegal immigrants were refused after it was determined they had entered into marriages of convenience.
A further 53 people abandoned their applications after being interviewed by detectives who had suspicions they had married simply to remain in Ireland.
As part of the process into determining if marriages are genuine, applicants are asked for detailed information regarding their relationship history.
Evidence is also needed that the couple have been living at the same address.
Couples are not routinely interviewed by officials but are spoken to if suspicions arise as to the motives for marriage.
The justice minister can interview the applicant at any stage to request extra information.
Under existing rules anyone from outside the European Economic Area seeking to marry an Irish citizen has to be given permission by the minister for justice.Lenihan has defended this measure as being necessary to deal with what he sees as a growing problem.
"The fact that in many cases where a suspicion arises as to the bona fides of the marriage the foreign national may in fact be unlawfully in the state, or residing in the state on the basis of a temporary or limited permission, is a significant factor in this regard." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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