Woman caught with fake designer bags and shoes
By Brendan Grehan
A MOTHER-of-two caught with fake designer bags, clothes and shoes worth €5,000 received a four-month suspended sentence in Blanchardstown District Court.
The court heard that Ying Ying Chen was running a “very unsophisticated” operation and the knock-offs were of “poor quality”.
Chen, aged 41, with an address at Oldchurch Grove, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to fraudulent application or use of trademark in relation to Michael Kors handbags, shoes and jewellery, Timberland boots and Nike and Adidas runners and additional items at Oldchurch Grove on December 12, 2016, contrary to Section 92 (1) and (4) of the Trade Marks Act ,1996.
Garda Nodhlaig Meany told Judge David McHugh that Chen was stopped in the Old Church estate on the above date and when her car was searched gardai found a number of counterfeit items.
She said officers later searched the defendant’s home and found a large quantity of counterfeit goods.
Gda Meany said there were 17 brand agents involved but only four confirmed that the goods were counterfeit.
There were Michael Kors handbags, shoes, clothing and jewellery, as well as Timberland boots, Nike runners and Adidas runners.
The court heard Chen had never been in trouble with the law before.
Chen’s counsel, Ciaran MacLoughlin Bl, said his client was a single mother with two children. He said she had lived in Ireland for the last 20 years.
Mr MacLoughlin said the products were “very poor knock-offs” and were “bad quality”. He said Chen had been unable to tell him how she had got involved.
The value of the goods was approximately €5,000.
Judge McHugh said it was “a serious matter”. He said that the companies involve gave a lot of employment and €5,000 was a “significant” amount of money.
The judge said people may also have bought the knock-offs believing them to be real.
Mr MacLoughlin said it was a “very unsophisticated operation” and anyone would have known the goods were counterfeit.
Judge McHugh sentenced Chen to four months imprisonment, suspended for one year. He also ordered the destruction of the goods.
